ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois Secretary of State has announced that their office will begin accepting nominations for young Illinois leaders.
Made public on Oct. 10 by Alex Giannoulias, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office is accepting applications for the 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award (JLYLA). This honor celebrates the efforts of Illinois residents between the ages of 18 and 25 who’ve made exceptional civic contributions to their communities.
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The award was established by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), and it honors late Congressman John Lewis. His impact and contributions throughout his career inspired the award.
Lewis advocated for voting and civil rights and urged young people to actively participate in the democratic process.
“John Lewis dedicated his life to bringing equality, freedom and justice to everyone and altered the course of history for the better,” Giannoulias said. “In partnership with the National Association of Secretaries of State, I could not be more excited to recognize a young Illinoisan who has been inspired to carry on the mission and legacy of this iconic freedom fighter.”