On May 1st, 2024, a number of Illinois State students visited the Capitol in Springfield to meet with legislators and discuss the needs of young educators across the state. SED student ambassadors Bella Chlada and Logan Hall were among those who attended and shared their experience during Advocacy Day.
“We started our day bright and early!” said Chlada. “We began at eight in the morning with a group tour of the Capitol Building before breaking up into small groups.”
During this time, each group attended House of Representatives committee meetings related to educational interests before having lunch with former U.S. representative Cheri Bustos and Nikita Richards, ISU Alum and Government Affairs Professional, who spoke about their lives and careers in politics.
Chlada said of the pair, “It was extremely empowering to hear how much of an impact one can have on the world around them.”
Later, students delivered informational documents to Representatives and Senators who were on the education-related committees. These documents detailed various bills which interested the ISU advocates. Students then ended the day by speaking with assigned Representatives and Senators.
“I even got to meet my congressional district senator, who was a former Special Education teacher, so that was really cool!” said Hall. “I haven’t been old enough to vote until now, so seeing my own senator and connecting with her personally was really fun, especially seeing what she strives for, and her goals for education in the state. It seemed like all of the legislators we met appreciated having young people pushing for different issues and having our voices be heard.”
Chlada had a special interest in her final session of the day as well. “My group spoke with Senator Dave Koehler, member of the Senate Higher Education Committee, and Senator Chris Belt, member of the Senate Education Committee,” she said. “Throughout the Spring 2024 semester, I heavily advocated for HB 4652, a bill supporting paid student teaching for all aspiring educators throughout the State of Illinois, and on March 6th, 2024, I spoke on behalf of the student body at the Paid Student Teaching Subject Matter Hearing hosted by the Higher Education Committee.”
“I was excited to be able to continue my work advocating for this bill in Springfield during our meeting, as well as get other aspiring educators involved. Shortly after Redbird Advocacy Day, HB 4652 passed through the House and moved into the Senate,” she said. “Senators Koehler and Belt not only co-sponsored the bill, but they both became Chief Co-Sponsors. Knowing that our conversation and testimony that day likely impacted their decision to become Chief Co-Sponsors of the bill was extremely empowering.”
Redbird Advocacy Day was full of enriching experiences for all student attendees, both in what they learned from legislators and what they were able to share as they had their voices heard. Hall and Chlada shared advice for students considering future civic engagement opportunities.
“there’s no reason to not do it! If you are able to attend an event you should just go,” Chlada said. “I was so excited to continue advocating for aspiring educators, and I was even more proud that the College of Education was supportive of our advocacy efforts on such a large scale.”
“It was a really great experience,” Hall added. “I learned not just from the other ISU students, but there were tons of different groups advocating for different initiatives, it was great to see so many of us having our voices heard at once.”
“This is the one opportunity to speak about your needs to people who will actually sit down and listen,” he said. “My senator even gave me her contact card and offered to meet, and connections like that is something you would miss out on if you don’t go.”
In seeing and experiencing the consequences of Redbird Advocacy Day, students understood the value and importance of their civic engagement as educators.
“Taking advantage of these experiences and opportunities is something that has helped me become even more passionate about the field of education,” said Chlada. “Stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t always easy, but I encourage you to try it every once in a while! It was wonderful to share our stories and truly feel heard by someone who has the power to make positive change in the education world.”
