Chairman & Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council Seeking Members For 2024-2025 School Year

Winnebago County, IL. – A new school year means new beginnings and fresh starts for high school students as they begin the 2024-2025 school year. The Chairman and Mayor's Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is seeking high school students who are looking to build problem solving skills and have leadership potential. All high school students in Winnebago County (regardless of academic achievement) who are looking to work together with other students from across the area to bring the youth voice to local issues can apply or be nominated. Applications and nominations are being accepted through September 20.

YLC members participate in interactive educational sessions, special events, group community projects, and youth advisory meetings with discussions attended by the City of Rockford Mayor Thomas McNamara, Winnebago County Chairman Joe Chiarelli, and/or other civic leaders.

Last year, the YLC coordinated a High School Student Workshop to help students prepare for their future. The workshop provided opportunities to discuss career planning, credit and financial literacy, and professional ethics and integrity. In addition, students were able to get advice on their resumes and participate in mock interviews.

Students can join the YLC by completing the application here or on the Winnebago County Health Department website publichealth.wincoil.gov.

Teachers, coaches, community leaders, elected officials or any person/agency who works with youth are also encouraged to nominate students! Nomination forms can be found here.

Students must meet the following requirements:

Winnebago County sophomores or juniors in high school (returning YLC members may be seniors)

Interest in developing problem solving and leadership skills

Interest in sharing information on public policy, community health, and local government

Able to attend at least 70% (11 out of 15) of Youth Leadership Council meetings

Have leadership potential, regardless of academic achievement

Applications and nominations will be accepted until September 20, 2024. Please direct questions to the Winnebago County Health Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Check out the Youth Leadership Council Instagram: ylc_815

or visit https://publichealth.wincoil.gov/get-involved/ylc/ for more information