Southern Illinois News

In a May 11 Facebook post, Rep. Paul Jacobs encouraged girls in fifth through twelfth grades to apply for the Illinois Council on Women and Girls' Illinois Girls Lead Program.

"The Illinois Council on Women and Girls invites girls in the state of Illinois who are in grades 5th through 12th to apply to join the Council’s Illinois Girls Lead Program. Applications are due by May 31" Jacobs said. 

A Republican from Pomona, Jacobs was first elected to the Illinois House in 2020. His legislative experience includes serving on the Tourism Committee and Higher Education. 

The office of Lieut. Gov. Juliana Stratton and the Illinois Council on Women and Girls launched the pilot program. "The Girls Lead program is centered on imparting social and leadership skills—as well as emphasizing the importance of teamwork, conflict resolution, and building consensus in a progressive working environment, particularly in legislative or state government. It also intends to provide opportunities for career exploration and discussions around education pathways," a news release from the governor's office says.

The hope is that girls in grades 5-12 will be inspired to see the possibilities of their future as they have meaningful interactions with the Lieutenant Governor and several members of the Illinois General Assembly who will take part in the program.  

Applications for the program are due May 31, 2023. 

In the Illinois Council on Women and Girls' 2022 annual report, the organization was described in this way: 

"The Illinois Council on Women and Girls is dedicated to addressing the barriers negatively impacting women, girls, and nonbinary people as we build the pathways for an equitable, brighter future."

"It is critical that we meet this moment, as we face the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic challenges, the trauma of gun violence in communities, and the dialing back of reproductive rights following the reversal of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court," Stratton says in a letter introducing the report. "As chair of the Council, I am proud of our collective spirit and our determination to create positive change. The Illinois Council on Women and Girls continues to stand with communities affected by these issues while digging in to push forward on the development of initiatives.

"From the launch of the 'Know Your Rights' campaign to share resources and information for diverse groups statewide that could be impacted by gender-based violence, to planning efforts with the aim of curbing gun violence, the Council is focused on responding to promote a better quality of life in Illinois," Stratton's introductory letter to the report continued.