A central Illinois lawmaker was joined by by dozens of students in Springfield to learn about the legislative process.

Last Thursday, Sen. Sally Turner welcomed students to Springfield as a part of her Youth Advisory Council. She explains around 20 students were able to return to the capital for the annual forum with students in her district.

Ava Longfellow from Heyworth High School believes the legislative process is important to everyone because policies proposed and enacted will touch them in some way.

Monticello High School senior Biniam Leinhart went to Springfield to learn more about the legislative process. As a potential political science major in college, he hoped to learn more about communication in politics.

According to Emma Petro from Mt. Pulaski High School, she learned a lot about the legislative process and also spoke to the importance of communicating with those that have a different perspective.

Sen. Turner’s YAC program allows local high school students to learn more about government through two meetings held each school year. During the fall meeting, students heard from local leaders and had the opportunity to discuss issues important to them.

During this week’s meeting, students took on the various roles involved in the legislative process for a mock committee hearing in an actual Senate committee room at the Capitol. The students served as lawmakers discussing and voting on the proposal, concerned citizens and lobbyists advocating for and against the issue, and reporters covering the hearing.

Sen Turner encourages interested students to ask their teachers or principals about taking part in the future.