The Illinois lesgislature is similar to the United States Congress. It
consists of two houses, the state representatives and the state senators.
In this activity you will have a chance to find out who your representatives
are in both houses by doing research on the internet. You will also contact
your elected official by writing them a letter addressing a concern that
you have. You will send this letter to your representative using e-mail
Let's get started:
To find our who your representative is,
use the Project
Vote Smart index. 
The next component of this project is to research your state
representative. As you visit this first site, take notes on your representatives
political party, committees served on and their e-mail address.
Next, research your representatives Biographical
Data to find out their educational background, political experience,
the number of years they have held this position, the length of their term
and when they will be up for reelection.
All elected officials are asked to take the National Political Awareness
Test (NPAT) which gives their opinion on many issues facing this county
today. Choose at least two issues that interest you and read your representatives
NPAT
responses to them and take notes on them.
The last component to complete is to read a biography
of your represenative, take notes on the highlights of their background
and include their number one priority. Once you have gathered all of this
information, you will be ready to compose a letter to your representative.
Look back at your notes, you may want to include your response to their
NPAT test.
In this next section you will do research on your state
senator. As you visit this first site, take notes on your senators political
party, committees served on and their e-mail address.
Next, research your senators Biographical
Data to find out their educational background, political experience,
the number of years they have held this position, the length of their term
and when they will be up for reelection.
All elected officials are asked to take the National Political Awareness
Test (NPAT) which gives their opinion on many issues facing this county
today. Choose at least two issues that interest you and read your representatives
NPAT responses to them and take notes on them.
The last component to complete is to read a biography
of your represenative, take notes on the highlights of their background
and include their number one priority. Once you have gathered all of this
information, you will be ready to compose a letter to your representative.
Look back at your notes, you may want to include your response to their
NPAT test.
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