Kane County 4-H students got a chance not only to shadow Kane County’s top officials Tuesday but get a little taste of what they do.

And the students were just great at it.

During a mock Kane County Board meeting, students were asked to debate and decide on whether Kane County should charge a fee for electronics collection — specifically of those large-screen TVs that have been glutting recycling locations and ultimately led to the closing of several municipal drop-off sites in Kane County.

The students asked smart, tough questions ranging from what the impact might be on persons with lower incomes to the prospects of requiring manufacturers to pick up a greater share of the costs to spreading the fees among types of recycling in order to lower the fee for TVs. In the end — and with lunchtime looming — they decided to recommend a $25 to $50 charge per TV.

The 4-H Governement Day program organized by the University of Illinois Extension for DuPage, Kane and Kendall Counties. This is the 24th year that the extension has connected students with local government in Kane County.

Last year in DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties, more than 1,200 youth participated in organized 4-H community clubs, special interest clubs and other clubs, led by more than 800 trained volunteer leaders.  Youth development programs also reached more than 13,000 children and teens through school programs, afterschool activities and camps.

Youth may join 4-H community clubs and explore more than 100 different project areas to study while building leadership, teamwork, decision-making and communication skills. Or, 4-H participants may instead choose to focus on a specific project area through a special interest, or SPIN club. SPIN clubs provide episodic learning opportunities in areas such as robotics, photography, gardening, visual arts, and nutrition, just to name a few.

Students may also participate in 4-H short-term projects through camps, school or afterschool youth organizations. Some of these popular groups teach youth about science and technology, caring for the environment, preparing for a career, making healthy choices or other priority issues which build a person’s life skills.

4-H Youth Development programs include 4-H Clubs, Learning Enrichment, and other Youth Outreach activities. These positive youth development programs provide opportunities for youth to feel a sense of belonging, develop independence, practice generosity, and experience mastery. For more information on the 4-H program in Kane County, contact Program Coordinator Doris Braddock at dbraddoc@illinois.edu or visit web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/.

Here Are the Students Who Participated