The mayors of Peoria, East Peoria and Washington shared tips on civic engagement Tuesday. The mayors answered questions from students at Illinois Central College. Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis addressed the apathy that he says stops some young people from voting:
“Apathy feeds into more apathy, and it reinforces to people that are elected that, hey once you’re in there you’re set because people are too…they don’t care about the process and you’re going to be there as long as you need to be there.”
Ardis says the goal is for young people to get more involved in local politics and government issues. East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus says that young people need to focus on local government in additional to state and federal issues:
“I think local is the backbone, that’s where it really happens. That’s where you can really make a big difference, you come into direct contact with the citizens."
Washington Mayor Gary Manier also echoed Ardis and Mingus’ call for young people to work with others and serve in local government.