Model Illinois Government (MIG) is a student-organized, intercollegiate simulation of state government that takes place each spring at the capitol complex in Springfield, Illinois. Student participants choose from a wide range of roles including legislators, attorneys, budget analysts, lobbyists and journalists.

The centerpiece of MIG is a legislative simulation that takes place in the actual House and Senate chambers of the State Capitol. Prospective bills are considered and amended in committee and then debated a brought to a final vote on the floor of each chamber. Each student legislator is given a specific district to represent, a political party assignment and a committee assignment. Experienced students may also participate as committee chairs or party leaders, and all students have the option of submitting their own original legislation if they wish to do so.

The MIG simulation also includes a Moot Court competition which is held in chambers that were once the home of the Illinois Supreme Court. Teams of attorneys argue a selected case before a panel of student justices and legal professionals, and are scored on the quality of their presentation and on their mastery of the legal issues involved.

A third component of MIG, The Office of Management and Budget, simulates the Illinois state budget process.  Students serve as budget analysts under the direction of the State Treasurer and the Director of the OMB, and are tasked with balancing the budget in the face of conflicting demands by the legislature, individual departments and agencies, and the Governor of Illinois.

For additional information go to http://www.modelillinoisgovernment.org/, or contact the MIG advisor, Dr. Mikel Wyckoff.

Jaclyn Curtis participating on the floor of the House.

Students in committee.

Dave Sorrel on the House floor.