Mattoon High School Student Aydin Tariq was recently sworn in as an appointed member of the new Illinois State Trauma-Informed Care Healing Centered Task Force, at the press conference and first meeting in University Park, Illinois on January 30, 2024.
He joined 29 other members of the task force, including state senators and representatives, the Superintendent of the State Board of Education, the Lieutenant Governor, heads of mental health-focused nonprofits, state directors, and more, as the representative for the youth of Illinois.
Tariq was appointed by Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton as a result of his work making legislative recommendations on a council for State Senator Mike Simmons.
He stated, "I am incredibly honored to have been appointed to represent the youth of Illinois, and I'm beyond thrilled to start the task force's work of healing communities across our state. I am also so grateful to the Mattoon Community and school district staff for their support in helping me pursue work building a better future."
The task force, which is a public office, meets once a month, either virtually or a secure location approved by the Lt. Governor either in the state capitol or University Park.
Their work will focus on mental health care in the state of Illinois, and how they can reduce violence, improve homes, and strengthen our environment using trauma-informed care.
For more information on the task force, click here. For the appointments page, click here.
