Learn by

doing

Major Elements

program schedule

The full schedule for the 2023 session can be found below.
–Full Schedule

Photo Journal

At some point throughout the week, you’ll see someone taking pictures of various events. That’s Gabe Grant, the staff photographer. He keeps a visual record of what happens during the session. Sometimes he’s at scheduled events, sometimes it’s some people tossing a frisbee on the quad. At various times throughout the week, the Experience page will be updated in the rolling feed below with a few highlight pictures, however the entire repository can be viewed – here.

Boys State Store

The Boys State Store has many items available during meal times to help remember your time spent in Charleston. The full list of items can be found – here.

cafeteria menu

The cafeteria menu for meals for the 2023 session can be found – here. For those with special dietary needs, contact Chris Wojtysiak by – clicking here.

Samsung Scholarship

Each Boys State and Girls State across America selects one delegate as a national finalist for the Samsung Scholarship. The Illinois winner of a $1,250 scholarship is chosen on academic achievement and financial need from among applicants who have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who served in our armed forces during times of war.

From the 100 Boys and Girls State winners, approximately ten national scholarships are awarded annually, each in the amount of $20,000. Scholarships are made possible from an endowment established by the Samsung Corporation, and the amounts of scholarships may vary slightly based on the annual earnings of the endowment.

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

The application can be found by – clicking here.

citizenship manual

To view our 2023 Citizenship Manual – click here.

campus map

To view an interactive map of Eastern Illinois University – click here. For ease of use on some devices, a non-interactive map is available – here.

2023 Essay Scholarship

The Hayes Kennedy Scholarship is a scholarship awarded 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 Hayes Kennedy Essay Contest will receive the Hayes Kennedy Scholarship named in honor of Hayes Kennedy, an attorney, and one of the co-founders of Illinois 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. They can be worked on before the session, but that is not required. A password will be required to submit. Procedures/passwords will be provided during the session.

In order to have sufficient time to give each entry the attention they deserve, the deadline for submissions is 8:00 AM on Thursday, June 15th.

Article III of the United States Constitution grants the Supreme Court of the United States appellate jurisdiction over a variety of cases and disputes. The Court’s 1803 opinion in Marbury v Madison, which established the Court’s role of judicial review, stated in part, “It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is.”

Over the years, judicial review has taken on various modes of interpreting the constitution, from textualism and original meaning to pragmatism and moral reasoning. Scholars are divided as to whether the constitution should be interpreted focusing on the plain meaning of its text as understood at the time of its writing (commonly known as textualism), or if the constitution is a living document, where the meaning of its terms evolves with the times.

In modern times, dissenting opinions of the court often largely abandon legal arguments in favor of public policy arguments, such as in the National Federation of Independent Business v OSHA (2022), which centered around the public policy merits of COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Does the Supreme Court have a role in influencing public policy in today’s America? If so, what is that role, and how does it differ from the role of Congress? If not, is it reasonable – if not desirable – for a Supreme Court Justice to interpret the law as written, even if it means supporting or upholding the less desirable public policy?

sports & quiz bowl

You can find the 2023 information on sports and quiz bowl by clicking the links below:

–General Rules and Procedures
–Basketball Rules
–Volleyball Rules
–Scholastic Bowl Rule

Health Services

Boys State staff will help students access any necessary medical care at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Charleston walk-in clinic or the Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital ER. More information may be found by – clicking here.

2023 Oration Scholarship

The Commanders Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship awarded annually to the citizen who prepared the best original four to six minute oration 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 orations before qualified judges. The final decision will be based on the customary oratorical contest points of content, organization, and delivery. Contestants must understand that the contest is for original orations only and that the customary rules of such contests which limit direct quotations to fifty words at one time will be enforced. Contestants are free to use notes during their presentation; however, electronic devices may not be used during your presentation. You may work on your oration before the session begins but are not required to.

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address 160 years ago on November 19, 1863, a mere 10 months following his signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The end of the Gettysburg Address, quoted above, communicates Abraham Lincoln’s vision of America after the Civil War, which by 1863 Lincoln believed would result in not only reunification, but also freedom. While intended to communicate his vision of a post-Civil War America, his words inspired subsequent generations of our Nation’s leaders in times of struggle.

Your oration should cover Abraham Lincoln’s vision of a post-Civil War America as communicated above, and how those principles are applicable to modern-day America 160 years later.

Details of the Program

Hover or tap on the boxes to learn more

Patriotism

As with all programs of the American Legion, patriotism is an important aspect at Boys State. Activities include the Pledge of Allegiance, formal flag retreat ceremonies at the South Quad flag pole, paying respect to the brave men and women of our military and veterans, and singing the Star-Spangled Banner as a group. These important elements, and more, are integrated throughout the week.

Political Action Committee

Each county puts a team together to form a mock Political Action Committee (PAC). The PACs will use their lobbyists and other methods to try and get Boys State elected officials to side with them, and pledge to support their issues.

State Police

Just like Illinois, Boys State has a State Police Force. Some citizens will be chosen as State Police Officers and have the opportunity to attend law enforcement seminars that provide a combination of classroom lecture and hands-on demonstrations by local law enforcement personnel. Topics vary each year, but have included the basics of police work, collecting evidence, and the use of K-9 units.

Media

Original media productions at Boys State are created by a dedicated media team looking to bring the citizens of Boys State "all the news that matters and some that doesn't" each day. The Boys State News Network delivers a nightly news broadcast before the general assemblies to showcase that day's efforts and recap important news on topics like campaign coverage, election results, and featured interest stories.

Elections

At the core of our week's activities is learning the basics of the electoral process. There are three levels of government that are formed through elections during the week: city, county, and state. From being candidates for office, to being election officials, to actually voting in the elections, the citizens engage in every aspect of the election process.

Quiz Bowl

Each county selects a quiz bowl team to play in a tournament bracket-style competition throughout the week. The quiz bowl questions and game structure are very similar to high school level Scholastic Bowl competitions. Winning these matches throughout the week are always a morale booster for the counties. A quiz bowl state champion is decided on Thursday afternoon.

Sports

Participating in team sports and friendly competition is a great way to work on leadership skills. Each of the counties selects their team on Sunday to play in a bracket tournament-style competition played each afternoon throughout the week. On Thursday afternoon the state championships for each sport are played. These spirited contests are a point of pride for the citizens during the week.

Recreation

Throughout the week there is time for some unstructured recreation. Citizens appreciate the short breaks from the busy week. Informal activities like frisbee, playing pick-up games at EIU's student rec center and just chatting with new found friends are all popular during recreation.

Leadership Discussions

Citizens will have the opportunity to attend a number of topical discussions in a breakout format. Topics are repeated a couple of times during the week so citizens have a good choice of discussions to attend. Example topics include being a leader, college preparedness, law school and the profession, meet the American Legion, and social media.

Seminars

Throughout the week a series of topics are presented on major themes of government. Citizens attend these seminars and participate as county groups. Topics covered include how to conduct an effective meeting, and details on the electoral, judicial, executive, and legislative processes.

Band

Providing important musical accompaniment throughout the week, the band has an important role to play during our general assemblies, the Sunday memorial service, and flag retreat ceremonies. Most nights they play a pre-assembly concert to entertain the citizens. Anyone currently in a high school marching band, pep band, or similar group should consider joining the Boys State band. Questions: band@illinoisboysstate.org

Legionnaire Connection

Many of the men on our staff are members of the American Legion, or Legionnaires. These men serve on various levels of the staff in a variety of roles. Legionnaires on the Board of Directors and in key leadership positions provide overall direction for our program. But some of the most treasured interactions come through informal conversations with the citizens where they can share stories and insights from their experiences.

arrival

Students are expected to arrive from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Check-in will take place in Taylor Hall, located at 2121 4th Street, Charleston, IL 61920. Supper will be served for those who have checked in. Orientation sessions will be begin shortly after supper. To request a late check-in, please email our registrar at Registrar@illinoisboysstate.org.

departure

Students attend the final general assembly on Friday morning. The session ends at approximately 11:30 AM and students are free to leave at this time. While parents are welcome to watch the final assembly from the back rows of the Dvorak Concert Hall in Doudna Fine Arts Center, students will need to return to their residence halls following the assembly to collect their belongings. If students arrived by bus they should plan to return by bus, being picked up in the same location as drop off immediately following the final assembly. A free sack lunch is available for the trip home.

questions?

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

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.