YANI Collective brings students to ‘civic engagement'
The YANI Collective's 'Mind Over Matter 3: Every Single Student' was held at 10 a.m. on March 18 at the election commission and according to the collective, the event is a way to uplift and empower Peoria's youth.
One senior who attended the event from Knoxville Center for Student Success, Tonnaya McAfee, said she is most excited to just see what the voting process is like.
'I want to know what [voting] is like, because everybody they should vote,' she said. 'I just want to get the experience, you know?'
Deasyia Barney, a Knoxville junior, said they have learned a lot about the importance of voting in school.
'We really learn the importance of voting and how can it affect us. Some people they don't really care about voting because they think, 'Oh, it doesn't really affect me,' or 'Oh, I don't really care,' but in reality, it kind of does in a way,' she said.
The event was their third Mind Over Matter event, which was aimed to help juniors and seniors learn the logistics of voting and empower them to 'exercise their civic rights.'
In 2022, Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation which allowed students to miss two hours of school in order to vote on any Illinois election whether it is on election day or if they were to vote early.
In all, 150 students showed up to learn about the voting process.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Nearly 180 new United States citizens naturalized in Peoria ceremony
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The United States gained around 180 new citizens on Friday through a ceremony across the street from the Federal courthouse at the downtown Peoria public library. In the auditorium situated in the lower level of the library, there sat around 90 people from Mexico, the Philippines, India and 30 other countries eagerly waiting to finally call themselves citizens. Marco Sanchez moved to the United States from Mexico in 1996, but the choice to become a citizen nearly 30 years later was simply a calling he felt. 'Your voice really counts,' Sanchez said. 'Especially for voting… It's time to help out, and maybe we can help with the future of the country.' Rosevita Muiruri moved to the U.S. in 2013 from Kenya, and to walk the stage after all of the hard work it took to get here, it's a proud moment for her. 'It was quite difficult. That's what I would say. But now and it's been a journey, quite a long journey, and now this is the end. This means I got it,' Muiruri said, waving a small American flag. Health care leaders featured at Eggs and Issues event In the back of the room, the families of those waiting to cross the stage sat, some with tears in their eyes. The mid-morning ceremony began with a loud hammering of the gavel from court clerk Shig Yasunaga. Yasunaga opened the ceremony by introducing the presiding Judge, the Honorable Ronald L. Hanna. A representative from the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Services officer Samantha Brewer granted the motion to move forward and approve citizenship for everyone present. After this, everyone in the room stood up, placed their right hand over their heart and said the Pledge of Allegiance in unison. Judge Hanna introduced the guests to his right, took off his glasses and gazed upon the 90 soon-to-be citizens with honor. He gave a brief speech about what it means to be an American. He talked about the long, arduous process that a lot of these people endured to get to where they were. After his speech, Hannah had the representatives from each country stand until all 89 total people from 33 countries were standing, as one. With all 89 people standing side by side with American flags in hand, Judge Hanna asked them to raise their right hand, and repeat the oath of allegiance. Another ceremony was held in the afternoon, which brought the total of new citizens naturalized in Peoria today to nearly 180. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
On the Record: Tariffs and trade policy winners and losers in Central Illinois
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Volatility from the shifting tariffs and trade policies of the Trump administration is the dominant stressor for businesses in the Greater Peoria area, according to the head of the region's economic development organization. Chris Setti, CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, joined 'WMBD News: On the Record' to discuss industry challenges and his recent trade mission to Mexico. 'I think that the main issue really has been uncertainty. Businesses like to be able to plan for the future, right? They want to be able to plan for their supply chains and what their customers might need and pricing,' he said. While the turbulence in trade policy has raised concerns across many sectors, it's not all bad news. Setti pointed to Liberty Steel in Bartonville as a potential winner. 'A 50% tariff on imported steel helps level the playing field for them,' he said. 'They've struggled to compete with cheaper foreign steel, especially from China. This move allows them to invest more confidently in their plant.' But not everyone is cheering. Construction firms and agriculture businesses are worried about rising costs on imported materials like potash, an essential ingredient in fertilizer. 'It cuts both ways,' Setti said. 'There are winners and losers in every policy decision, no matter which administration is in charge.' In April, Setti joined Gov. JB Pritzker for a trade mission to Mexico City to explore opportunities for collaboration. 'It was a fantastic trip,' Setti said. 'There's a lot of trade between Illinois and Mexico for exports and for imports. We met with Mexican business leaders and showcased what Greater Peoria can offer.' He also recently attended SelectUSA, the country's largest summit for foreign direct investment, as part of Team Illinois. 'Trade is so important to economics. It's all relationship-based. People do business with those they know,' he said. 'For a lot of foreign countries and foreign companies, they've never heard of Peoria to the extent they've heard of Illinois. 'They know about Chicago. So when they get a chance to meet with us, and others from central Illinois, we're able to really showcase what we have to offer them,' Setti said. Catch 'WMBD News: On the Record' on Saturday nights at 10 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘D-Day for Democracy' rally to be held Saturday in Peoria
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Hundreds of coordinated demonstrations pushing back against President Trump and his agenda are set to take place coast to coast on Saturday, including here in Central Illinois. The 'D-Day for Democracy' rally is the fifth mass rally organized by 50501, a grassroots national movement opposing the policies and practices of the second Trump administration. Organizers with the Peoria chapter of 50501 said their goal is to build a movement that cannot be ignored by elected officials. 'Our democracy is under threat by an authoritarian regime in Washington. As we see it, they have abrogated rights. They're not following court orders. They're essentially trying to empower themselves at the expense of the American people. This is a chance to both honor individuals who have fought for democracy in the past and to mobilize those who want to fight for democracy right now,' said Jim Haptonstahl, who is part of the Peoria chapter's leadership team. The date of the rally comes one day after the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Normandy Beach in France by Allied troops in World War II. For the organizers, this moment harkens back to that time when democracy triumphed over autocracy. 'We picked a Saturday when it was best for us to get to the crowd that we would like and to essentially celebrate that moment, but also call into people's attention the reality we face right now,' explained Haptonstahl. While the group is vocal in its opposition to Trump, Haptonstahl said the movement is meant to be inclusive and open to all who support democratic institutions. 'We understand there are differences of opinion, and we want to assure them that we want to have a big tent welcoming to a diverse group of people who may have views that aren't exactly alike amongst them. But in the end, what we share is an absolute commitment to democratic institutions being preserved,' he said. 'People may disagree with some of the fundamentals we have to say, but we believe once they join us, they'll see that we are a welcoming group.' 50501 previously coordinated nationwide 'No Kings' demonstrations on Feb. 5, Feb. 17, and March 4. They were also one of the lead organizers for the 'Hands Off' demonstrations on April 5, drawing an estimated three to five million people in 1,400 events. 'D-Day for Democracy' rally is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, at Peoria Stadium. Organizers said it's a peaceful event, and no violence will be tolerated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
