Clinical Government Program To Begin at City Hall
Beginning Tuesday, June 11, 2013, seventeen Maine West High School students will be attending class at Des Plaines City Hall, followed by a two-hour work session in individual City departments. It's all part of the annual summer Des Plaines Clinical Government Program, a tradition that has been occurring since 1975, allowing students to fulfill a half credit government course requirement in an unconventional learning experience.
Under the direction of Maine West Social Science Instructor Owen Doak, the program is designed to expose students to local government by providing them with hands-on experience. The concept for the program and its development is unique and is the result of the efforts of the late Des Plaines City Clerk Eleanor Rohrbach and Maine West Social Science Chairman Eric Edstrom. Both local leaders agreed that the community's young people could benefit from enhanced exposure to their local government. In addition to participating in workstations and/or touring City Divisions/Departments such as Public Works & Engineering, Health and Human Services, Human Resources, Fire, Police, and the 9-1-1 Communications Center, students are required to attend a Council Meeting and observe the local legislative process. This year's Clinical Government Class will attend the 7 PM, June 17, 2013, City Council Meeting at City Hall, 1420 Miner Street.
Other agencies visited by the students include the Des Plaines Park District, the Center of Concern, the Grove (Glenview Park District), the Skokie Courthouse, the Self Help Closet and Food Pantry, the Des Plaines Public Library, Maine Township Hall, the Maine Township Food Pantry, the Des Plaines History Center, Asbury Court Retirement Community, the Frisbie Community Senior Center and Rainbow Hospice.
The City's Health and Human Services Division participates in Clinical Government each year by involving students in Intergenerational Discovery Day. According to Kathy Puetz, the City's Community Social Worker, “During Intergenerational Discovery Day students have the opportunity to meet with Des Plaines seniors who live independently and those who live in a retirement home.”
“We strive to show them that, while there may be great age differences, there are similarities. By interacting with the seniors, they learn their likes and dislikes and what they were like when they were young. We show them how government impacts on seniors and their lifestyle in the community,” Puetz said.
In addition to orientation sessions and “hands on” experiences, City Officials, Department Heads and representatives address the students during their two-hour classroom session. Among those scheduled to address the students are Mayor Matthew J. Bogusz, City Clerk Gloria Ludwig, City Manager Mike Bartholomew, Director of Finance Dorothy Wisniewski, Police Chief William Kushner, Fire Chief Alan Wax, Assistant Director of Public Works and Engineering Jon Duddles, Superintendent of General Services/Public Works Howard Moser, Director of Human Resources Michael Earl, Senior Planner Scott Mangum, Deputy Executive Coordinator of Homeland Security and Emergency Management John Pluta, City General Counsel Peter Friedman and former Police Chief (retired) Joseph Kozenczak.
This year's Clinical Government student participants include Kelly Adamek, Andrew Christiansen, Emilee Davidson, Nadeen Elmajdoub, Anesa Hanic, Dontae Harrison, Molly Juneau, Khrystyna Kostryba, Esequiel Mora, Krista Musgrave, Kyrie Nelson, Janak Patel, Joanna Pilipczuk, Kassidy Riportella, Lukas Urbane, Kristina Wenk, and Ben Whittenhall.
The three-week program concludes with a press conference televised live on local cable channel 17 at 9 AM, Thursday, June 27, 2013, from the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The conference allows students to question City/agency officials regarding their Clinical Government experiences.