Chicago Teens Campaign in WI

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Oct 25, 2004 12:06PM

What to do if you're a Chicago teenager and want to get involved in the election? Go to Wisoconsin, is what. Because Illinois is expected to vote for Kerry, teens involved in a group called Mikva Challenge headed to the Wisconsin, one of the nearest battleground states, to get a taste of politics they can't get around here.

"The sad truth is that in Illinois there's nothing going on in the presidential race," said Brian Brady, part of the staff of Mikva Challenge. "We like to be where kids can really get involved. So we said we'll just go where the action is."

Members have made several day trips to Kenosha and last week 65 students spend 3 days in Milwaukee doing everything from working phone banks to knocking on doors on behalf of both the Republican and Democratic parties. About 40 kids attended a John Kerry speech and the rest saw Laura Bush.

The nonprofit group is named for former Illinois congressman Abner Mikva and his wife and works closely with Chicago Public Schools. Mikva Challenge's goal is to to teach children civics through participation. Students in the group study the issues and the candidates first and then they decide who they want to work for.

Chicagoist didn't really get involved in politics until we were old enough to vote, but we think it's awesome that teenaged kids are showing interest and learning more about the issues and candidates.