CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute announced today (May 11) four recipients of the 2026 Paul Simon Democracy Prize.
The institute is awarding four $5,000 prizes to current students at Illinois colleges and universities for designing and implementing projects aimed at revitalizing democracy in their communities.
The winners are:
- Miguel Alvarez from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He will develop a youth-led civic engagement initiative that uses music to capture young people’s voices and experiences with democracy in Southern Illinois. The project will culminate in the creation and dissemination of original music and digital content, along with community listening sessions, to foster greater connection, participation and dialogue around democratic life.
- Daniel Blaine from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He will expand his nonprofit, Communal Conversations, to facilitate structured civic discussions, community canvassing, and educational initiatives that foster greater public engagement and collaborative problem-solving around local issues. The project will result in community-driven reports and workshops that translate public input into actionable insights for local leaders while encouraging more informed and active participation in democratic life.
- Caitlin Bradford from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, will organize “Voterpalooza,” a nonpartisan campus event that combines voter education, interactive civic engagement activities, and student-led programming to increase participation in the 2026 midterm election. The project will be highlighted by a large-scale celebration on National Vote Early Day on Oct. 27, featuring a “Stroll to the Polls” and a Battle of the Bands to encourage students to vote and engage more deeply in democratic life.
- Isabella Taylor from Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Illinois, will create a YouTube channel called “Democracy Simplified” to provide clear, accessible voting information for young and first-time voters ages 16–24. The channel will feature step-by-step guides on voter registration, understanding ballots, and researching candidates, with the goal of reducing confusion and increasing civic participation among young people.
John Shaw, institute director, said he was impressed by the quality and creativity of the proposals submitted by Illinois college and university students.
“The proposals we received were exceptional and make clear that students are committed to finding innovative and constructive ways to strengthen our democracy,” Shaw said. “We are confident the Paul Simon Democracy Prize will motivate students to make a meaningful difference in their communities and help safeguard our democratic institutions.”
The institute invited proposals that were persuasive and imaginative, with the condition that they must have a realistic chance of being implemented within six months. Submissions were made in the form of short videos.
The four winning videos are now featured under each of the winner’s names on the institute’s website and YouTube channel. The Paul Simon Democracy Prize was launched by the institute in 2023.
Shaw said the institute has established three programs to underscore Simon’s commitment to better government and smarter politics: the Paul Simon Democracy Prize, the Renewing Illinois Summit for Illinois college and university students and the Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award in Illinois state and local government.
“These three programs embody the enduring ideals and remarkable values that Paul Simon dedicated his life to advancing,” Shaw said.
Complete details of the Paul Simon Democracy Prize and its winners are available on the institute’s website.
After serving as a state legislator and lieutenant governor, Simon was in Congress for 10 years, followed by two terms in the U.S. Senate. After leaving public office in 1997, he returned to his Southern Illinois roots and established the then-Public Policy Institute at SIU Carbondale. The institute was renamed to honor Simon’s legacy after his death in December 2003.
The institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank promoting better politics and smarter government and preparing young people for careers in public service.