Illinois Opens Nominations for Youth Leadership Award

The Illinois Secretary of State's office is accepting nominations for the 2026 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, which honors young state residents for civic contributions.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Youth

Screen-print poster illustration of a young sapling growing from a cracked stone plinth on an open prairie under a warm sky, evoking youth civic growth. — The Illinois Secretary of State's office is accepting nominations through December 4, 2026, for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award honoring residents aged 18 to 25. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Illinois Secretary of State's office is accepting nominations for the 2026 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, which recognizes Illinoisans ages 18 to 25 who have made significant civic contributions. Nominations must be submitted electronically by December 4, 2026.

Why it matters

The award gives public recognition to young residents who are working to improve their communities, and anyone may nominate a deserving young leader. Nominations are open to residents across Illinois, and the award was established by the National Association of Secretaries of State.

Nominees must be Illinoisans between 18 and 25 years old, and nominations must be submitted electronically to jlyouthaward@ilsos.gov. The source does not state how many nominations or winners are anticipated each year.

The players

Illinois Secretary of State's Office

The state office that administers the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award and is accepting nominations from across Illinois.

Alexi Giannoulias

The Illinois Secretary of State who will host the ceremony announcing the 2026 award winner in January 2027.

The details

Anyone, including a student, coworker, neighbor, parent, volunteer, or community member, may nominate a young Illinois leader. The Secretary of State's office is requiring that all applications, including forms and exhibits, be submitted electronically.

2023: Dasha Pates received the first John Lewis Youth Leadership Award.
Friday, December 4, 2026, 5 p.m. CST: Nomination deadline.
January 2027: Winner announced at a ceremony hosted by Secretary Giannoulias.

Youth Leadership Pathways

The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award was established by the National Association of Secretaries of State to recognize young civic leaders, and Illinois's 2026 nomination cycle continues that program at the state level. Its 2023 first recipient, Dasha Pates, was recognized for expanding access to legal services in Kane County.

Illinois residents who know a young leader aged 18 to 25 can nominate them by emailing an electronic application to jlyouthaward@ilsos.gov before the December 4, 2026 deadline. Questions about the award may be directed to 312-814-1148.

The takeaway

Young Illinoisans who are already making a difference in their communities can be recognized for it, and any community member can nominate them before the December 4, 2026 deadline.

What happens next

Nominations close Friday, December 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. CST, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Secretary Giannoulias in January 2027.