NIU’s Student Association will sponsor a trip to Springfield Wednesday, April 13, for a full day of student activism regarding MAP grants and the state budget.
The bus will depart the east side of the Holmes Student Center at 6:30 a.m.
Events begin at 10 a.m. with a pump-up rally at the University of Illinois Springfield.
Students then will be bused over to the Old State Capitol where the “March for MAP” will take place. At 11:15 a.m., students will march from the Old State Capitol to the Illinois State Capitol.
Following the march, students will be given the opportunity around noon to meet with and lobby their local legislators about issues surrounding the state budget and MAP funding.
The day will end around 3 p.m. as all students return to campus. The bus is expected to arrive in DeKalb around 6 p.m.
RSVP on Huskie Link by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, April 12.
A brief training and discussion on proper lobbying will be held on the bus for the last hour of the morning ride to Springfield. This will ensure that students understand lobbying and are confident in their abilities. Students are asked to specifically lobby their local representatives to make the largest impact.
Participants are asked to wear business-casual clothes as they might interact with state lawmakers in the afternoon. However, students are reminded to dress for the weather as most of the lobbying will take place outside and to wear comfortable shoes for the half-mile march so bring comfortable walking shoes. Dress shoes can be brought for the afternoon; any extra articles of clothing can be left on the bus throughout the day.
Lunch will NOT be provided but participants are welcome to bring brown bag lunches. The Capitol cafeteria sells food; a lunch there costs at least $7.
This event has been approved for the College of Busines Passport program under “Leadership” and the Honors Engaged program.
For more information, email SA Senate Speaker Dillon Domke at ddomke1@niu.edu.
