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 2025-2026 Mayor’s Youth Commission below and view previous Youth Commission New Ideas Booklets!
About the MYC
2025-2026 New Ideas coming soon!
2024-2025 New Ideas Booklet
MYC At A Glance
2025-2026 Cohort
Luke Alvarez, Forest Glen
Phoebe Beal, Hyde Park
Matthew Bell, Grand Boulevard
Omer Bilgin, Woodlawn
Derrick Brown, Oakland
Oliver DeMarea, North Center
Mariama Diallo, Near South Side
Miranda Diaz, Ashburn
Alexander Espino, Little Village
Kiran Fatima, West Ridge
Dalila Flores, West Ridge
Josue Garcia-Alvarado, Logan Square
Ramiya Grisby, Chicago Lawn
Dallyce Harrell, Near South Side
Damara Martin, Humboldt Park
Elyani Martinez, Little Village
Emma Masterson, Edgewater
Charlotte McAninch, Lincoln Square
Mae McGannon, Portage Park
Renoll Meekins, South Shore
Jameel Meeks, Austin
Oprah Momoh, Rogers Park
Ayomide Olatunji, South Shore
Ana Romero, Hegewisch
June Rutzen, North Center
Michelle Santana, Belmont Cragin
Renee Savage, Greater Grand Crossing
Lailah Smith, Auburn Gresham
Angela Thomas, Albany Park
Osheanna Tyler-Hudson, Austin
Devine Valdez, Belmont Cragin
Maria Vazquez, Hyde Park
Jose Venegas, Portage Park
Daniel Villalobos, Ashburn
Javonte White, North Lawndale
Jonathan Wilson, East Garfield Park
Zain Zaidi, Near South Side
Janice Zolicoffer, Austin
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 Devine Valdez and Daniel Villalobos.
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 Mae McGannon and Jameel Meeks.
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 Emma Masterson 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 Michelle Santana and Josue Garcia-Alvarado.
