In recognition of National Foster Care Month, Senate and House lawmakers hosted the Youth in Care & Alumni Legislative Shadow Day this week at the Capitol. Organized by Foster Care Alumni of America (FCAA), Illinois Chapter, the event brings youths in the foster care system and alumni down to Springfield to share their experiences, shadow legislators and help us to impact better child welfare policy.

State Sen. Jil Tracy spent time with James McIntyre, FCAA Illinois Chapter President, as well as Jarell Williams, a program alumni and current junior at Southern Illinois University, who both grew up in the foster care system and went on to be tremendously successful in their academic and professional lives.