State Representative Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, has been chosen as one of forty-one emerging leaders from throughout Illinois to the 2019 Class of Edgar Fellows. Known for its prestigious reputation for stimulating cooperation across regional, political and ethnic lines, the Edgar Fellows program is a highly selective leadership seminar that accepts only the most qualified emerging leaders in Illinois each year.
“Being chosen to join the Edgar Fellows Program is an opportunity for me to help bridge the partisan and geographic divide that too often separates Illinoisans from each other,” said Representative Keicher. “Together we can develop and advance realistic solutions to make Illinois the best state in the nation to live, work, raise a family, get a first-class college education and follow your dreams.”
Spearheaded by former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, the Edgar Fellows program is designed to influence attitudes and foster mutual understanding. It fosters the goal of facilitating bipartisan and cross-regional cooperation as class participants assume more influential public leadership roles. Fellows include elected and appointed officials from all levels of government, as well as Illinoisans who have distinguished themselves in the business world and civic affairs.
This year’s class of Edgar Fellows will gather August 4-8 in Champaign for an extensive and focused executive training program hosted by Governor Edgar and the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA). The Fellows will engage with each other and with experienced practitioners and scholars in major policy areas such as health care, education and economic development. The Edgar Fellows program is currently in its eighth year.
Representative Keicher serves the 70th District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Kane and Boone Counties.