Johnson County CEO is proud of Ella Kreuter and Savannah Oslay for volunteering to be part of this event this past Monday to represent CEO! See more below! ⬇️
Legislative Tour Features Student Speakers in Southern Illinois
State legislators, SI Now executive director, students, ISBE and DCEO staff, along with regional leaders visited career and educational programs affiliated with Vienna High School and Five County Regional Vocational, as part of a Southern Illinois legislative tour focused on workforce development, career and technical education (CTE), the return on investment relating to evidence based funding (EBF), and needs that still exist.
“Representative Davis is the Chair of K-12 and has a strong voice and important influence over what happens in our state’s budget. We thought it was important for him to see both the successes we’ve achieved and the needs we still have,” shared State Representative Patrick Windhorst.
Dr. Joshua Stafford, Superintendent at Vienna, invited Representative William Davis from the 30th House of Representative District, which covers south Cook County, along with Southern Illinois Representatives Patrick Windhorst and Paul Jacobs to tour the area and see firsthand the programs preparing students for careers, college, and certifications. Illinois State Senator Dale Fowler was also invited, but was unable to attend due to obligations in Springfield. The delegation was also accompanied by the Director of CTE at the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Dr. Erica Thieman, Five County Regional Vocational Director Jeremy Holley, Regional Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. Lorie LeQuatte, and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Manager, Mrs. Vanessa Sneed.
“We have had a tradition of legislative engagement with our Southern Illinois contingent, all of which have been supportive of the schools and regional programs. Being able to connect with Representative Davis and have him be a part of the day and tour of the region not only allowed him to see Southern Illinois and the positive impact that EBF is having, but also allowed for relationships to be better built and current needs to be discussed. From the High School Laborer's Construction Craft Preparation Program in Marion to Five County Vocational System and then to Vienna High School the delegation was able to hear from students that are actually involved," shared Dr. Stafford.
SI Now Executive Director, Dr. Deb Barnett, presented at the event. “We have so much to be proud of in Southern Illinois and it was a pleasure to welcome Representative Davis and our local legislators to tour the strong educational programs fueling our region’s economy. Southern Illinois students are entering high‑demand career pathways with the skills employers need, and SI Now is proud to help support the collaborative partnerships that make this progress and future opportunities possible.”
Five County Regional Vocational Director, Mr. Jeremy Holley shared, “I’m personally grateful for what CTE has meant to my own family and what it continues to mean for students across our area. It opens doors to certifications, college credit, and meaningful skilled careers. We are building real pathways to high-wage, high-demand industries that will strengthen our workforce and local economy.”
Representative Davis is a leading voice when it comes to ensuring adequate state funding for K-12 schools. He chairs the Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee and was instrumental in pulling Illinois' school funding model from being nearly last in the nation to now serving as a leading example. While Davis is a northern Illinois legislator he has Southern Illinois connections earning his bachelor's degree in political science from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
Vienna sophomore Olivia Quertermous led the delegation on a tour of several of Vienna career programs. The tour allowed students to provide key highlights and information about Johnson County CEO, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Podcasting and Cybersecurity, Education pathways, Southern Illinois Future Teachers Coalition (SIFTC), and Industrial Arts. These programs provide students with hands-on experience and industry-recognized skills while still in high school.
Ethan Hook, student council president and Vienna senior, led a school wide assembly, giving students the opportunity to engage with state leaders. A legislative lunch followed with area superintendents and leaders hearing from the general assembly trio, followed by a question-and-answer session and time for discussion.
Additional presentations included Foundations of the Future (www.viennahs.com/fof), an initiative led by Dean of System Programs, Mr. Phillip Hosfeldt and a presentation from SI Now (www.southernillinoisnow.org) with Executive Director Deb Barnett, further showcasing Southern Illinois's commitment to education, workforce, and industry engagement.
