The Mayor’s Youth Commission is a City of Chicago formal advisory body of up to 40 Chicagoans between the ages 14 and 19 who are passionate about issues that impact youth. These commissioners advise the Mayor and City leaders, represent their peers and communities, and learn about policy and projects within the City of Chicago. The Youth Commissioners meet on a monthly basis to collaborate and positively impact Chicago’s future. Commissioners are paid a yearly stipend for their work.

Learn more about the current 2024-2025 Youth Commission below and view the 2023-2024 Youth Commission New Ideas booklet.

The 2024-2025 Youth Commission New Ideas Booklet will be launching in May 2025.

About the MYC

2024-2025 New Ideas Booklet

Coming Soon

MYC At A Glance

2024-2025 Cohort

  • Camila Alvarado, Logan Square

  • Yasmin Ameen, Hyde Park

  • Leisly Bahena, Humboldt Park

  • Teanna Bardney, Austin

  • Zuri Belcore, Avondale

  • Omer Bilgin, Woodlawn

  • Derrick Brown, Oakland

  • Rishi Chandra, Lincoln Park

  • Bowen Chen, Near West Side

  • Oliver DeMarea, North Center

  • Alexander Espino, Little Village

  • Josue Garcia, Logan Square

  • Addison Haywood, Chatham

  • Brooke Jenkins, Austin

  • Robert Kirkwood, Lakeview

  • Michal Lampejo, Lincoln Park

  • J’Aliyah Livingston, Morgan Park

  • Damara Martin, Humboldt Park

  • Elyani Martinez, Little Village

  • Emma Masterson, Edgewater

  • Katie McDermott, Lincoln Park

  • Mae McGannon, Portage Park

  • Renoll Meekins, South Shore

  • Jameel Meeks, Austin

  • Aya Miller, Beverly

  • Sarah Onyewuchi, Uptown

  • Oswaldo Perez Aguilara, Little Village

  • Michelle Santana, Belmont Cragin

  • Renee Savage, Greater Grand Crossing

  • Lailah Smith, Auburn Gresham

  • Damarion Spann, North Lawndale

  • Dino Strong, North Lawndale

  • Jaqueza Thomas, Chatham

  • Devine Valdez, Belmont Cragin

  • Daniel Villalobos, Ashburn

  • Jonathan Wilson, East Garfield Park

  • Molly Wilson, Riverdale

  • Shanya Yang, New City

  • Jasmine Zhang, Norwood Park

Working Groups

Community Safety

The Community Safety Working Group prioritizes collaboration with policy-makers, organizes youth-centered events, and distributes public safety-based resources to youth. The Community Safety working Group is led by Co-Chairs Jaqueza Thomas and Teanna Bardney.

Education

The Education Working Group works to provide equal access to quality academic resources in Chicago, improve student opportunity, and mitigate current educational disparities that exist within Chicago’s communities. The Education Working Group is led by Co-Chairs Rishi Chandra and Addison Haywood.

Neighborhood Development

The Neighborhood Development Working Group is committed to working toward equity for all of Chicago’s neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Development Working Group is led by Co-Chairs Brooke Jenkins and Elyani Martinez.

Public Health

The Public Health Working Group is dedicated to supporting youth affected by the COVID pandemic, streamlining Behavioral and Mental Health Services for teens, and creating content to break down mental health stigma. The Public Health Working Group is led by Co-Chairs Shanya Yang and Zuri Belcore.