a week that shapes

a lifetime

American Legion Illinois Premier Boys State

88th Session – June 7th – 13th, 2025

Hosted at Eastern Illinois University

Register for the 88th Session! | Updates from the 87th Session! | Donate

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welcome

“Gentleman, raise your right hand and repeat after me.” It is with these words that we begin the oath of citizenship at the start of our annual opening assembly. We welcome a new group of proud Americans from all across Illinois to participate in this thing called Premier Boys State. They come from small towns and big cities not really knowing what to expect upon arrival. They show up, having been sponsored by the American Legion, or some other civic organization, with doubts about the week that is to come. They are ushered through a series of check-in events and eventually arrive in a beautiful concert hall to officially start a week that shapes a lifetime. This is only the beginning. . . .

Illinois Premier Boys State 2022

Major Themes

Learn by Doing

Education

Our program has a heavy focus on education through our learn by doing approach. Throughout the week, citizens will participate in classroom seminars, group discussions, interactive experiences, and other immersive learning methods as they participate in the program. While much of the program takes part in the residential areas of campus, citizens do make use of some excellent educational facilities provided by Eastern Illinois University, including a state-of-the-art multimedia production lab, Booth Library, and various classroom and lecture spaces. One of Illinois Boys State’s founding fathers and early directors was a school teacher, and throughout our long history, we have had professional educators helping to create and guide the curriculum of our program.

Government

The focus of Illinois Boys State is the election of officials to various positions within our mythical 51st state, simulating the experience of city, county, and state level governmental functions during the week-long program. Each level of government is truly of, by, and for the people. The oath of citizenship is given on Saturday night at our first general assembly, and soon after the party caucuses are held to determine the city election ballot. As the city governments start to function by holding City Council meetings, the county election process gets underway. Shorty thereafter the state party conventions are held to set primary ballots. The final election for our constitutional state-wide offices rounds out a busy week of campaigns and elections.

Achievement

During the week we ensure that there are ample opportunities for every citizen to have his moment. While only one citizen will be elected governor, there are so many more ways, both formal and informal, for each citizen to achieve. From four different types of election processes to quiz bowl to seminar discussions to presenting the “nightly news” to sports championships, there are a variety of achievements – large and small – that allow our citizens to have a week that shapes a lifetime. No matter what roles or positions are held during the week, perhaps the most important is that of citizen. Each citizen who fully participates in the program is recognized in the hope that they will continue the American ideals that are presented during Boys State.

Scholarships

American Legion Illinois Premier Boys State offers ten scholarships that are awarded annually to our Boys State citizens. Totaling nearly $20,000, all of our scholarship awards are based on certain individual achievements or being selected during interview processes that are held during the week of Boys State. The Samsung Scholarship in an exception because the application must be completed online before you arrive on campus. While some students choose to work on the essay and speech contests in advance, once the topics are posted in early May, that is allowed but not required. While any citizen may win any number of awards, no single citizen may receive cumulative scholarships totaling more than $5,000 from our state-level program.

What’s in

A Week?

We pack a lot into the 10,080 minutes during our week in June. While there is always fun and downtime, our program packs in so many experiences it is often called life changing. We start the Saturday before flag day, end the Friday before Father’s Day, and in between our citizens will be busy, have fun, and learn by doing.

Summer is Coming

Register Today!

In our opinion, there is no better way to spend a week in June – a week that shapes a lifetime. We know there are a lot of options out there, but our unique program offers so many experiences packed into one week. Clear your schedule and get more info now.

Scholarship Highlights

A Week that Shapes a Lifetime

Three of our scholarships require or allow work ahead of arriving at Boys State. Those three are highlighted below in more detail. The others can only be achieved through activities while on campus.

Samsung Scholarship

In 1996, worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million to be administered by The American Legion. Meant to show appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea’s aid during its struggle against communist forces in the Korean War, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program established a series of scholarships. To date, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship has awarded over $7 million! Premier Boys State has had three national winners, each winning the national award. For more information about the program click here.

THE SAMSUNG SCHOLARSHIP ONLINE APPLICATION (INCLUDING SCHOOL RECORDS) MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT BOYS STATE.

Essay Contest

The Hayes Kennedy Scholarship is a $2,000 award given annually to the citizen who presents the best original essay on a selected topic related to the Constitution of the United States or the Illinois Constitution. The winner of the Essay Contest will receive the Hayes Kennedy Scholarship, named in honor of one of the co-founders of Premier Boys State. The essay must be over 500 words, but should not exceed 1000 words, in length. Essays must be typed using good literary style, properly paragraphed, punctuated, etc.  All contestants are required to submit their essay electronically before the deadline. They can be worked on before the session, but that is not required. Click here for more details.

Speech Contest

The Commander’s Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship awarded annually to the citizen who prepared the best original four to six minute speech on a selected topic about Abraham Lincoln. The Commander’s Scholarship has been established in honor of the current Commander of the American Legion of Illinois. After a preliminary round of individual presentations, a maximum of ten finalists will be selected to deliver their speech before qualified judges. The final decision will be based on the customary speech contest points of content, organization, and delivery. Click here for more information.

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future sessions

All listed sessions are held at Eastern Illinois University

 

88th Annual Session June 7th to 13th 2025
89th Annual Session June 13th to 19th 2026
90th Annual Session June 12th to 18th 2027

Testimonials

We are Premier

  • “Boys State is a program that definitely teaches you a few things. As a citizen you learn to manage your time and work hard. It’s a week full of events meant to help each person grow. Whether that person needs to learn how to work in a group or just to be a bit more social, Premier Boys State is an experience you do not want to miss!”

    JOSH CASSEM
  • “They say Boys State is 'a week that shapes a lifetime.' Before coming to Boys State in 2014, I thought there is no way just one week can impact your whole life. I was completely wrong. The immediate impact of Boys State could be seen in my leadership and communication skills, my confidence, and my commitment to my community. Long term, I don't think I would have been accepted to Northwestern University or been offered an internship on Capitol Hill without Boys State. Boys State has truly shaped my life.”

    Jimmy Kellock
  • "Boys State was one of the best experiences of my life. Being put into a completely new environment and not knowing anyone really helped shaped me into the man I am today. Boys State to me is the opportunity for young men to get their first taste of what college will be like and how life will be once you get out of your hometown. If you're on the fence about going I highly recommend it as one of the best ways to spend your summer. That's why I've been back every year to volunteer."

    Khalfani Maatuka
  • "My week at Boys State opened up more doors than I could have ever imagined. From stepping out of my comfort zone and running for mayor of my Boys State city, to meeting the President of the United States in the White House at Boys Nation, I emerged from the summer of 2013 a changed person. I wrote all of my college essays about my experiences at Boys State and I am confident that getting in to my dream undergraduate school, as well as dream law school, was largely the result of my growth and achievement at Boys State."

    T.J. Collins
  • "Boys State has provided value far beyond the cost of my one week investment in 1960.  I gained confidence while attending, a valuable reference I have use throughout my life and values that help shape a professional career as an engineer, corporate manager, business owner and adjunct professor."

    Jim Vahle

See more by watching this short video.

The American Legion Auxiliary’s marquee Girls State program, first presented in 1937, is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States.

To learn more visit their website linked below.

questions?

After browsing our website if you have any additional questions please feel free to .

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support

Click on the PayPal Donate button below to support our program. To sponsor a full registration fee for one citizen donate $400 on the next screen.




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