By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – More than 40 high school students from across Central Illinois joined state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, in Springfield this week for a day-long workshop to learn about state government.

Barickman sponsors a Youth Advisory Council.

“I’m always impressed with the level of opinions they have,” Barickman said. “These are young people who study issues, they are aware of what’s going on around the world. They are aware of the politics of the moment in Illinois and around our country and they are not shy about speaking up.”

Normal Community student Emily Ham is a second-year participant with YAC.

“Usually at my school, there’s not a lot of people who like to talk about politics or really know much about it, so I love coming to places like and hear other people who have the same interests as me,” Ham said.

Students met Gov. Bruce Rauner, other state lawmakers and the chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court Rita Garman.

Ham said she likes politics, but gets much more out of it than that.

“Get involved with lots of different things, even if it’s not politics, things like this,” Ham said. “There are lots of committees like this and councils like this that are going on that can help you decide what you want to do.”

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].