MIG Journal, Friday Morning Edition

Model Illinois Government 2025 Opening Ceremonies

By Leslie Lozada

The Forty-Seventh Annual Model Illinois Government kicked off with the opening ceremonies, bringing new e-board members, a rousing keynote speaker, and over hundreds of student representatives from 16 schools.

Several of the e-board members reminded representatives of the MIG rules. “Do not be a story that we have to warn others,” Said Eryn Nelken, the Lieutenant Governor, a returning member to the E-Board.

The keynote speaker of the event was Amy Murri Briel, representing the 76th District in the Illinois House of Representatives. Briel stepped into her position in early January, entering politics due to her strong sense of injustice. One of the best ways she manages to understand different views is to take these complex views and to make them simple enough for her constituents to understand.

“Give people a bit of grace, “ Briel said to representatives. “Hold yourself to who you are.”

“The guest speaker is also really good,” Lucas Schilling, the assistant minority leader house Republican recalled of the ceremonies after the House Republican caucus. “it’s nice to hear some actual politicians speak.”

“Whatever voice led you here, follow that”, Fiel Wilson, the speaker of the house, had a hopeful speech for the representatives. “Let's get to work. Let’s work with integrity.”

House Democrats Caucus Electing New Leadership

By Avery Causley-Ingram

The House Democrats caucused the first night of MIG to elect its leadership positions, with candidates giving passionate speeches outlining their visions and qualifications. The outcome of the elections saw a new set of leaders poised to steer the party forward, with strong leadership and strategic approaches to policy in mind.

Abbie Hasty, a third-year participant in Model Illinois Government (MIG), secured the position of Majority Leader. Having served as Majority Whip for the past two years, Hasty emphasized collective organization and ensuring all caucus members had a voice in legislative discussions. "Leadership isn’t about one person—it’s about all of us moving forward together. Every voice in this caucus matters, and as Majority Leader, I will make sure no one is left unheard," Hasty stated.

Her main competitor, Jaxon Buckman, also delivered a compelling campaign, focusing on his data-driven approach to legislation. Known for his meticulous research, Buckman emphasized the importance of preparation and facts in legislative work.

"If you need research, statistics, or case studies, I have them ready. We must approach legislation with facts, and I will ensure we are always prepared," Buckman said.

However, Abbie Hasty’s emphasis on collective leadership and her ability to unify the party ultimately won the day.

Kayla Maisonneuve, another strong candidate, brought real-world experience from working for a Democratic politician, emphasizing her resilience and ability to navigate partisan dynamics. "You need somebody fierce, you need somebody strong, you need somebody who isn't scared to keep pushing when they want to keep pushing," Maisonneuve declared. Maisonneuve's main challengers, Trenton Clifford, Renato Recillas, and Taeveon Gaines, each presented their own visions, but ultimately, Kayla Maisonneuve won the election, leveraging her professional background and firm stance on pushing Democratic priorities forward.

In a highly competitive Majority Whip race, Taeveon Gaines, Ignat Striletskyi, and Jaxson Buckman were all elected to serve as Majority Whips. Despite a crowded field, each candidate brought a unique set of strengths to the table, showcasing the diversity of leadership styles within the caucus. Taeveon Gaines, a political science major at Eastern Illinois University, impressed the caucus with his public speaking skills and ability to quickly engage with his peers. Although Gaines initially did not expect to run, his spontaneous decision to join the race paid off. "I feel good. I wasn't expecting to run. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. But I like public speaking, so when I got up there, I thought, "Let's just try it," Gaines reflected after securing his position. Striletskyi, with his experience in congressional campaigns, presented himself as a coalition builder, highlighting his ability to unite people from different backgrounds. "We need to work together to get results. I know how to unite people, and that’s what I planned to do here," Striletskyi explained, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. Jaxson Buckman, known for his meticulous research and data-driven approach, focused on preparation and providing factual support for the caucus's legislative efforts. “I have the gusto, and once again I have what it takes."

The strength of all three candidates' speeches and their distinct leadership qualities ultimately led to a shared victory, ensuring the caucus will be supported by multiple majority whips as they work to push the Democratic agenda forward.

Committee Spokespersons Elected

The party also designated spokespersons for each committee. The following individuals were selected to represent their respective committees:

• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms: Trenton Clifford

• Labor & Commerce: Gavin Estes

• Government Affairs: Damian Orozco

• Education, Environment, and Human Services: Taeveon Gaines

  
  

With the leadership elections behind them, the House Democrats now can effectively prepare for what MIG has in store at this 2025 simulation. 

Senate Republicans Choose Who Will Represent Them:

By: Kasper Sturtz

This evening, Senate Republicans had to choose between Ethan Howard and incumbent

Samuel Moore for Minority Leader. Both had excellent ideas and plans for leading the

Republican party to victory against the Democrats. In the end, Moore came out on top. However, Howard still received the honor of serving as Assistant Minority Leader. Nearly half of the Republican Senate ran for Whip. Among them, Shawn O’Brian makes the excellent point that all Republican delegates should keep in mind as we proceed with the simulation: Republicans simply have less numbers than the Democrats. If they want to achieve their goals, they are going to need to reach across the aisle and be "crafty" in order to do so.

Senate Democrats Chose Their Leadership:

By: Phoenix Sanchez

Many of the Senator candidates insisted on the importance of ensuring all voices of the Senate were heard and that their concerns were brought to the floor.

For the voting of the Majority Leader, the first round of voting ended in a 2 way tie between Melody Colonel and Cameron Ryan. After a second speech from each candidate, the senators voted and elected Senator Colonel as Majority Leader.

For Assistant Majority Leader, Imani Jackson was elected. Senator Jackson has been a part of Model Illinois Government for 3 years, and was “looking forward to being a support team for the Majority Leader and ensuring the simulation is a good learning environment.”

Whip electors are Kaylee Presslor, Nancy Cordero, and Jack Waldeck.