2020-2021 Committee Chairs
Evan Wilson
Illinois College
evan.wilson@mail.ic.edu
Emily Tabeek
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
etabeek@siu.edu
Mary Alice Berg
Loyola University Chicago
mberg1@luc.edu
Executive Board Liaison
Member Relations Council Team
Paul Welsh, NACAC Delegate Director – Secondary
Purpose
The purpose of the Government Relations Committee is to inform IACAC members of pertinent public policy issues and upcoming legislation that affects counselors and students. Government Relations members also promote the goals of IACAC to government officials at the local, state, and federal level.
Activities
The Government Relations Committee meets three times per year in addition to a trip to Springfield, where we meet with legislators to discuss current education issues. We also host a session at the IACAC Annual Conference in May.
Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs following his address to the 2017 IACAC Annual Conference. Pictured with members of the Government Relations Committee.
Left to right: Steve Landgraf, Michigan State University; Jeremy Holmes, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Jennifer Steck, Saint Louis University; Joe Freeman, Beacon Academy, Stephanie Szczepanski, Saint Louis University; Evan Wilson, Illinois College; Gwen Kanelos, Concordia University Chicago, Bob Freitag, St. Charles North High School; Paul Welsh, Fenton High School; Jennifer Sloan, Cornell College; Roberto Suarez, Homewood-Flossmoor High School; Michelle Rogers, Saint Louis University.
IACAC members met with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’ 8th District, during their to visit Capitol Hill on February 26, 2018, to advocate for Illinois students as a part of NACAC Hill Day.
Left to right: Steve Landgraf, Michigan State University; Joe Freeman, Beacon Academy; Kylie Mussay, University of St. Francis; Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi; Jennifer Sloan, University of Cincinnati; Roberto Suarez, Homewood-Flossmoor High School; Patrick Walsh, Illinois State University
Members of IACAC at the Illinois State Capitol for a day of meetings with legislators on March 7, 2018 for Advocacy Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to support the efforts of the Government Relations Committee, but I am unable to attend meetings or participate in the lobbying trip to Springfield, what can I do?
The easiest thing you can do is to use the NACAC’s Legislative Action Center. From here, you can search for current state and national legislation that will affect you and your students and make use of pre-written letters to sign and email to your current legislators.
I would like to know more about issues in education and college access, where can I find more information?
NACAC’s Government Relations website maintains a list of the latest developments in legislation of interest to the National Membership. At the State Legislation Portal you can search more in-depth on Illinois Issues as well as topical issues. Also, NACAC’s Policy Recommendations page outlines many current policies and links to research and insights on current trends/issues.