For more than 60 years, Illinois's electric and telephone cooperatives have given tomorrow’s leaders the opportunity to learn from today’s public officials. On March 20, more than 200 students from across rural Illinois represented 25 co-ops during Youth Day, including two from EnerStar Electric Cooperative.

“Youth Day gives students across the state an up-close look at democracy in action as they meet their elected representatives in Springfield,” said Angela Griffin, EnerStar’s Manager of Marketing and Communications. “State senators and representatives have the opportunity to inspire and encourage the leaders of tomorrow during this
annual event.” In addition to meeting elected officials, the students also learned more about their electric cooperative’s role in their own communities and had the opportunity to tour the Illinois State Capitol and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. 

State Senator Chapin Rose (R-51) and Representative Chris Miller (R-101) and Adam Niemerg (R-102)
met with the students representing EnerStar Electric. These students included Turner Graham and Carly Foley, both students at Marshall High School. 

In addition to Youth Day, Graham and Foley were also selected to participate in Youth Tour, an annual trip to Washington,
D.C., sponsored by Illinois electric and telephone cooperatives. This year’s trip will be held June 14-21. They will represent EnerStar Electric on the weeklong trip, meet their elected officials, see historical sites, learn firsthand how cooperatives work, and gain valuable leadership skills. 

Information on the 2025 event will be available later this fall. Information will be included in this magazine and the co-op’s social media channels