In July, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce had the honor of hosting the very first State Civics Bee Finals at the University of Illinois Springfield, presented by Illinois Chamber Member, Kinder Morgan. The event brought an outstanding turnout and an inspiring show of support! We were thrilled to welcome fifteen bright and engaged students, supportive families, and community leaders together to celebrate civic knowledge and leadership
The National Civics Bee, held in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, brings together exceptional middle school students from across the state of Illinois to demonstrate their knowledge of civics, government, and the principles of active citizenship. This initiative not only highlights the importance of civic education but also fosters a spirit of engagement and leadership among our youth.
The energy in the room was inspiring. Our student participants demonstrated not only a strong understanding of civics but also the confidence and passion that will shape the future of our state. Their thoughtful answers and innovative ideas showed us that the next generation is ready to take on challenges and find solutions for their communities.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Aisha from Timber Ridge Middle School, who earned first place in Illinois’ State Civics Bee! We are so proud to have her represent our state this November at the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. Her achievement is a testament to the power of civic education and the promise of our youth.
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is grateful to all who participated and supported this inaugural event. Together, we are not only celebrating outstanding students but also strengthening the foundation of civic engagement that will carry our communities forward.
This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our presenting sponsor, Kinder Morgan. Their partnership and commitment made it possible for us to bring together leaders, professionals, and communities from across Illinois for an evening of connection and recognition. We also extend our gratitude to our collaborating chambers, whose involvement and dedication were instrumental in making this event a true success: The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce, O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce, and Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. Each Chamber played a vital role in promoting the event, engaging their members, and ensuring strong representation from across the state.
We would like to recognize and thank those who generously shared their time, talent, and expertise to help bring this event to life. A special thank you goes to our emcee and Illinois Chamber Board Member, Kelly Edwards, whose energy, professionalism, and presence guided the evening seamlessly.
We are grateful to our distinguished panel of judges, whose thoughtful insights and commitment were central to the success of the program. Chairman of the Illinois Chamber Board of Directors, Dan Wagner, Brad Cole, CEO of the Illinois Municipal League, and Ryan McCreery, Government Affairs Consultant with Kinder Morgan each brought a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the judging process, helping us highlight and honor outstanding achievements.
Together, our sponsors, chambers, judges, and emcee helped create an event that not only celebrated excellence but also fostered stronger connections across communities and industries. Their contributions exemplify the spirit of collaboration that makes events like this possible. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year!