Bean tells Grayslake students how 'Barack' has become 'Mr. President'

WASHINGTON - For many Illinois officials, Barack Obama's ascension to the presidency carries a new political etiquette.

"I can't call on his cell phone anymore. I can't call him 'Barack' anymore. Now it's 'Mr. President,'" said Congresswoman Melissa Bean, a Barrington Democrat. "I have to just be very respectful."

Bean talked about the new political awkwardness of knowing the president Wednesday during a meeting at her Capitol Hill office with Grayslake High School students.

The students, from Grayslake North and Central are enrolled in advanced placement government classes. That class annually treks to Washington. This year, the trip let them take in the inauguration with tickets courtesy of Bean.

"We were in the first standing-row beyond the (Capitol) reflecting pool," Patrick Grim, 18, told Bean. "Somebody farther down had actually pushed the fence down so everyone kind of stormed ... I'd say about 5,000 people just moved up about 30 yards. It was crazy. Better seats, better view."

Bean said the turnout of young people this election and at the inauguration is good for government and the country.

"If you can get young people excited now to pay attention and appreciate that their vote matters and their opinions matter, then I think it's a great thing," she said.