Chicago City Wire

The Illinois Secretary of State's office is now accepting nominations for the 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, as announced by Secretary Alexi Giannoulias. This award acknowledges young Illinoisans aged 18 to 25 who have made significant civic contributions to their communities.

The award, established by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), honors the late Congressman John Lewis for his lifelong commitment to civil and voting rights. Throughout his career, Lewis encouraged youth participation in democracy and played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement as chairman of the Student Nonviolence Coordinating Committee (SNCC), one of the original Freedom Riders, and a key organizer of the March on Washington.

"John Lewis dedicated his life to bringing equality, freedom and justice to everyone and altered the course of history for the better," said Giannoulias. "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."

Last year's inaugural recipient, Dasha Pates, was recognized for her work improving access to legal services in Kane County through JusticeCorps. She provided legal information and guidance at the Kane County Law Library & Self-Help Legal Center.

"Receiving the inaugural John Lewis Youth Leadership Award has been a life-changing experience for me," Pates stated. The award aims to inspire other young individuals to engage in community activism by recognizing youth efforts. It emphasizes that age should not hinder change-making efforts and that every voice is crucial in shaping America's future.

Nominations are open to any member of the public who can identify a deserving young leader from Illinois. Interested parties can find application details at www.ilsos.gov/JohnLewisAward.

To apply successfully, candidates must submit a Nominator Form completed by an adult familiar with their social justice work, a Nominee Form detailing their activities in their own words, and between two and ten exhibits supporting their contributions. All materials must be submitted electronically by November 11, 2024.

Eligible nominees must reside in Illinois and be between 18 and 25 years old as of November 11, 2024. The winner will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Secretary Giannoulias in December.

Nominees should demonstrate advocacy for civil rights such as voting rights, fair resource access, and freedom from discrimination. They should show empathy, influence others positively, confront challenges courageously, raise awareness about social issues, and propose solutions.

For further inquiries regarding the award process or criteria, contact jlyouthaward@ilsos.gov or call (312) 814-1148.