State Sen. Rachel Ventura is joining WTTW, Channel 11, in hosting an event in Joliet intended to get young people informed and engaged with the democratic process.
The event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Bicentennial Park, 201 Jefferson St.
The program will consist of brief introductions, a showing of a 34-minute film on the importance of getting young people involved in democratic efforts, and a panel and Q&A session.
“Engaging the youth in our democratic process is one of the most important things we can do as a society, and I am thrilled to be partnering with WTTW’s Firsthand series to accomplish this,” said Ventura, D-Joliet, in a news release from her office.
“WTTW puts a human face on pressing issues and they are positioned perfectly to tell these stories throughout the Chicagoland region,” she said.
The goal is to teach the next generation that democracy is not an abstract principle, but a participatory sport, the news release said.
Following the film, there will be a discussion with the following panelists: Ventura, DuPage Township Clerk Barbara Parker, Will County Clerk Annette Parker, Pamela Fort, from Speak Up and Vote, and Jane Rubies, president of the League of Women Voters Chicago
The video that will be shown focuses on Milton Patel’s story, an AP government and politics teacher at Evanston Township High School. Patel teaches his students that democracy is a verb – a process requiring ongoing participation from citizens, according to the news release from Ventura’s office.
A British-born Indian immigrant, Patel teaches his students to take an active role in American democracy by registering to vote, questioning political candidates, and meeting with a federal judge, the release said.
You can learn more by calling Ventura’s district office at 331-290-0443.
This is not a political or electioneering event. This event is not sponsored or affiliated with a political party, candidate, or ballot question. This event is solely about the importance of voting as a right and not for any candidate, party, or ballot question, Ventura’s office said.
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October 2, 2026 at 12:37PM
