by In September 2017, #Catalyst SHS students met with State Senator Julie Morrison to advocate on behalf of all youth. They discussed the risks of e-cigarette use among youth and shared the benefits of Tobacco21 in Illinois.
As a result of their meeting, Stevenson Catalyst Club members Borler Wu, Katherine Yao, Melissa Hauptman, and Ashleigh Machado traveled to Springfield this past Tuesday, January 30 where they participated in a press conference which included Illinois lawmakers Senator Julie Morrison, Senator John G. Mulroe, State Representative Camille Y. Lilly, State Representative Melissa Conyears-Ervin, American Heart Association - Illinois, and other health organizations to propose raising the tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21 statewide by passing Senate Bill 2332. The premise of the law is simple: Teens and young adults are likely to quit smoking, or never start, if they have to ask those 21 and older to buy cigarettes for them. Catalyst member Borler Wu spoke at the press conference and continued to make the case for #Tobacco21 on behalf of Illinois youth everywhere. Catalyst members then met with local legislatures to continue discussions about the proposed bill, including Senator Morrison, Senator Dan McConchie, State Representative Scott Drury, and State Representative Nick Sauer. We are incredibly proud of the advocacy work Catalyst students are doing, and we will continue to support them on their goal to have the Tobacco 21 bill passed.  Four Catalyst Students Testify at Hearing with LawmakersDemocratic State Sen. Heather Steans of Chicago proposed legislation that would legalize the possession of up to 28 grams of marijuana and allow facilities to sell marijuana products.
On Monday, January 22, 2018, four Catalyst students testified at a hearing with lawmakers about the proposed legalization of marijuana in Illinois. Stevenson Catalyst members included Seniors Devin Smith and Ananya Pati, freshman Alexander Zhou and sophomore Vrushali Thakkar. The students argued against legalization, citing evidence showing the negative effects of marijuana on the developing teen brain. They were joined by fellow Catalyst members and current Twin Groves eighth-graders Lexi Gitler and Eden Mondschain. The group also met with state Sen. Dan McConchie, who represents the 26th District, which includes parts of District 125, including Vernon Hills, Long Grove, Lake Zurich and a portion of Buffalo Grove. On Tuesday, several Catalyst members will travel to Springfield and participate in a press conference led by the Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco. The group will announce legislation to raise the minimum age of tobacco sales from 18 to 21, and will recognize the 10th anniversary of Illinois’ smoke-free air law. Senior Borler Wu is scheduled to speak on behalf of state youth at the press conference. Stand Strong Coalition will be hosting a 2 part series on the proposed legalization of recreational marijuana and what the implications can mean to our youth and community. Join us for Part 1 on Thursday, January 11 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Lincolnshire Village Hall with special guest speaker Dr. Aaron Weiner, Director of Addiction, Linden Oaks Behavioral Health. Be sure to save the date for Part 2 of this special series scheduled for Thursday, February 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lincolnshire Village Hall. We look forward to learning from Kuei Yuan Tseng, MD, PhD of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Dr. Tseng will will share his research on marijuana and the teen brain with attendees. We specifically scheduled an event during the day and in the evening to make it easier for community members to attend at least one event. As always, Stand Strong Coalition is committed to continue providing community education so that we can all make informed decisions regarding the future of our communities.  |
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