Two win awards; five elected to leadership position

LLCC students participated in the 37th annual Model Illinois Government (MIG) simulation on Feb. 26-March 1 at the Illinois State Capitol. Two were honored with awards and five were elected to leadership positions.

Donald Shimkus of Petersburg earned the Lisa Tripp VanDuser Award-Outstanding Office of Management and Budget Analyst.

Elizabeth Roehrs of Springfield earned the Outstanding House Freshman Delegate Award and was also elected as the Democratic Committee spokesperson for the Education Committee.

Silas Tockey of Springfield was elected as a House whip responsible for communication and organization of the House of Representatives Democratic caucus. Emma Todd of Springfield was elected as the Democratic Committee spokesperson for the Senate. Josh Scaife of New Berlin was elected as Republican spokesperson of the Firearms, Gambling, Alcohol and Tobacco Committee for the House, and James Travis Heller of Petersburg was elected spokesperson for the same committee in the Senate.

Other members of the team were John DeRosa and Christian Todd of Springfield, Connor Benbrook of Chatham and Brendan Little of Riverton.

LLCC MIG team members are students in the Model Illinois Government class taught by John Vinzant, Ph.D., professor of political science, of Chatham.