Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council

The Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council (ILYAC) is a legislatively-created council with the purpose of advising the Indiana General Assembly on topics related to Indiana youth, including: education, employment, strategies to increase youth involvement in state and local government, safe environments for youth, substance abuse, emotional and physical health, foster care, poverty, homelessness, and youth access to state and local services.

ILYAC was created in 2008 with the passage of HEA 1162. The Council consists of as many as 22 Indiana youth, ages 16-22, from across the state. The Council publishes an annual report regarding its thoughts on the issues related to Indiana youth as well as support and endorsements for legislation pending before the General Assembly during session. You can view those reports on the General Assembly’s website.

How Members Are Appointed

Council members are appointed by a high-ranking member of state government leadership, and serve two-year terms. Five appointing bodies can each appoint between two to five Council members, as follows:

  • Governor of Indiana (2)
  • President Pro Tempore of the Indiana Senate (5)
  • Speaker of the Indiana House (5)
  • Minority Leader of the Indiana Senate (5)
  • Minority Leader of the Indiana House (5)

The Appointment Process

State government leaders appoint members to the Council through a rolling appointment process that typically includes recommendations from the community, the submission of a resume, and/or a formal interview. Appointments depend on seat availability and are very limited.

To seek an appointment, you may contact an appointing body and request information on Council seat availability. Alternatively, you may also complete a Petition Packet, which the Council opens annually each spring to facilitate the speed of your appointment. Through the Petition Packet, materials are first evaluated by the Council, and exemplary applications will be sent to the State House under strong recommendations for appointment by the Council. Members who are subsequently appointed by a legislator will be notified by the Council Chair as soon as the relevant correspondence is received from the State House.

 

Who Makes up the Council

​The Council is composed of high achieving and civically engaged high school and college students. Past and current members are:

  • Youth Senate Program Alumni
  • U.S. Senate Pages
  • U.S. Senate internships
  • Political candidates for office
  • Members of their city Youth Advisory Councils
  • Have gone on to study at prestigious institutions such as Yale University, Cornell University, Duke University, George Washington University, Georgetown University Law, Harvard University, Indiana University, New York University, Purdue University, and Williams College.

Meet the Team

Madeline Erdell
Council Chair
Newburgh
Appointed by Senate Minority Leader Taylor

Rahul Durai
Vice Chair
West Lafayette
Appointed by Senate Minority Leader Taylor

Edward Sun
Secretary
Fort Wayne
Appointed by House Speaker Huston

Isha Tandon
Legislative Liaison
Greenwood
Appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Bray

Amber Allyn
Mt. Vernon
Appointed by House Speaker Huston

Wyatt Brewster
New Castle
Appointed by House Speaker Huston

Ariel Dodds
South Bend
Appointed by House Minority Leader GiaQuinta

Brooke Fridell
Carmel
Appointed by Senate Minority Leader Taylor

Hayden Garten
Charlestown
Appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Bray

Liam Hansen
Carmel
Appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Bray

Nicole Jackson
Terre Haute
Appointed by House Minority Leader GiaQuinta

Layla Kelly
Fort Wayne
Appointed by House Minority Leader GiaQuinta

Aidan Klineman
Indianapolis
Appointed by Senate Minority Leader Taylor

Corbin Malchow
Gaston
Appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Bray

Megan Risewick
Evansville
Appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Bray

Nicholas Rivotto
Fishers
Appointed by House Speaker Huston

Alexandra Rogers
Yorktown
Appointed by Speaker Huston

Kaley Singleton
Indianapolis
Appointed by Senate Minority Leader Taylor