Communications: Civic Leadership Program

Contact Jennifer Zinkel, Director of Strategic Communications, (309) 672-6918.

The Civic Leadership Program provides a hands-on learning experience of county government history, structure, and services for Peoria County citizens and employees. Free to participants, we encourage all interested residents within Peoria County, high school age and above, to consider taking this course as it will raise awareness of the realities and challenges currently impacting local county government.

Through a series of educational sessions, participants will become more involved in local government by meeting and interacting with County Board Members and other elected and appointed officials who present the program. Participants who complete the course demonstrate a strong desire to become a Peoria County leader and join a network of citizens committed to improving their community.

The Civic Leadership Program meets the County Board’s strategic goal of being a high performing public organization. With the program, Peoria County strengthens its relationship with the citizens we serve by inspiring them to take a more active role in guiding future policy decisions, be it through the election process; by voicing concerns during public meetings; or by running for public office.

The Civic Leadership Program is offered twice annually: in the summer for high school students and in the fall for adults. Download the Adult Civic Leadership Program brochure or the Student Civic Leadership brochure for program and participation details.

Fall 2009

The fall class is limited to adults, preferably living in Peoria County.

The fall schedule is as follows:
October 15 - December 3, 2009
Thursdays, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, sometimes 9:00pm

A graduation ceremony will be held at the Peoria County Board meeting on December 10 at 6:00 p.m.

To apply, download the Fall application, complete, and mail or fax by September 30, 2009 using the information provided on the application.

Download the Fall Schedule

Summer 2009

Application deadline for the Summer 2009 CLP course is June 4, 2009. The summer class is limited to high school students, preferably living in Peoria County. Those eligible include fall freshmen, current students, and graduating seniors.

The summer schedule is as follows:
Monday, June 22
8:00am - 5:00 p.m.
Peoria County Courthouse
324 Main Street, Downtown Peoria

Tuesday, June 23
8:00am - 4:00 p.m.
Peoria County's West Campus
Meet at Juvenile Detention Center
223 N. Maxwell Road, Peoria

Participants must attend both days.

A graduation ceremony will be held at the Peoria County Board meeting on July 9 at 6:00 p.m.

To apply, download the Student Application, complete, and mail or fax by June 4, 2009 using the information provided on the application.

Download summer brochure