High school students learn the ropes of government at Buffalo Grove Civics Forum
Students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools took over village hall Monday for the annual Civics Forum, shouldering the duties of village trustees and staff.
Buffalo Grove Village Clerk Janet Sirabian said the event teaches students about local government's importance.
“I now have 18 people that will always vote in a municipal election,” she said.
With actual village board members watching, “Village President” Erik Kunicki, a Buffalo Grove student, and the “trustees” heard proposals from “village staff” and voted on an actual $2,000 village purchase.
Trustees voted to approve the request by “Fire Chief” Cameron McCasey, a Stevenson student, for a new life safety rope, an upgrade from the current half-inch rope used in such situations as high-angle rescues and trench collapses. The new rope matches the size of neighboring departments, saving time during mutual-aid rescues.
“I wanted to pass this one because I think it most directly correlates to safety,” said Trustee Shivani Ganeshan, a Buffalo Grove student.
The fire department will use the new rope on vehicles equipped for technical rescues, Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Larry Kane said.
Other proposals included a multi-touch monitor, Apple AirPods for police translation services, and a 3D water and watershed education model.
Students met with village officials Monday afternoon before attending the meeting that evening.
McCasey said the experience taught him about municipal government. He said he is interested in law, adding that law and politics “play hand in hand sometimes.”