SPRINGFIELD – For the first time since 2019, the Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day returned following a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 200 students representing 22 Illinois electric and telephone cooperatives had the opportunity to visit the State Capitol, view state government in action and question their legislators on key issues.
“Youth Day is designed to introduce young rural leaders to state government,” said Brooke Gross, who coordinates youth programs at the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. “Not only do these students interact with their elected officials, they learn more about their electric or telephone cooperative’s role in their own community.”
State Senator Dale Fowler (R-59) and Representative David Friess (R-115) met with three students representing Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) during Youth Day on Wednesday, March 29 in Springfield. These students included: Sarah Restoff of Pinckneyville Community High School, Isak Fagerland of Elverado High School, and Ben DeShazo of Trico High School. They were chaperoned by EECA Member Services Manager Brooke Guthman and EECA Engineering Manager Brad Austin.
During lunch, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs addressed the students. He discussed how he got into politics and encouraged them to follow their passions in life. In addition, students learned more about the cooperative program.
Participants also met Abigail Meyer, the 2022-23 Illinois Youth Leadership Council Representative from Tri-County Electric Cooperative. She spoke about her experiences on the Youth to Washington Tour and challenged attendees to maintain an interest in their cooperatives and the political process. In the afternoon, the students visited the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Lincoln Home National Historic Site.
All three students will be going to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Youth to Washington Tour, to be held June 16-23, 2023. They will represent Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) on the weeklong trip to meet their elected officials, see historic sites, learn firsthand how cooperatives work and gain valuable leadership skills.
Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) is a member of Touchstone Energy — a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to members large and small. More than 700 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 46 states are delivering energy and energy solutions to more than 30 million members every day. EECA is committed to providing superior service based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.
The co-op serves more than 15,000 meters over 2,000 miles of line in Jackson, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington and Williamson counties, and parts of Franklin, Johnson, Monroe and Union counties.
For more information visit www.eeca.coop.