2025 National Civics Bee – Illinois Regional Event
Calling all Middle School Students! – Share your ideas and flex your civics knowledge in the National Civics Bee
The Marion Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host a nonpartisan civics competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating 6th, 7th and 8th graders will flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. Finalists will be invited to Washington, DC to compete in the National Civics Bee® national championship in Fall 2025.
This national program is hosted by The Civic Trust, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. At the state level, this event is supported by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the IACCE.
Participant competitions begin at the Regional level in the spring, State competition in late summer, and National completion in November.
Why Civics?
The Marion Chamber of Commerce is participating in the National Civics Bee® because we believe that informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the Bee, we are promoting greater civic knowledge in Illinois and celebrating our civic pride. 2025 will be the first year the state of Illinois will take part in the National Civics Bee.
We hoped to be a regional host this April, but we didn’t have enough qualified entries to make an in-person event happen. We hope to apply to be a 2026 location host. In the meantime, we invite you to cheer on Illinois participants as they compete in Springfield and then at Nationals in Washington DC!
How to Enter
Any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade student residing in Illinois with an idea about using civics to improve their community may submit their essay to participate in one local competition in their state. Essay submission takes place in between November – early February. Visit www.nationalcivicsbee.org for the latest news on the application portal, entry deadlines, and resources. Students should review the Contest Rules and Essay Guide below and then apply using the following link: 2025 National Civics Bee® Application Link.
There will be seven competitions around the state from February – April, students will be grouped based on the home address of the student. Student entries will be judged anonymously twice. To view regional locations by state, click here.
2026 Program Sponsors
Venue Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Tech Sponsor
Resources / Additional Info
Every day, citizens contribute in different ways—through volunteering, voting, serving on juries, entrepreneurship, or simply by sharing their community experiences—all of which strengthen our civil society. Middle school students from public, private, charter, and homeschools with ideas about improving their communities may submit an essay for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. To prepare, please check out the following resource:
- Essay Guide
- National Civics Bee® Highlights Video
- National Civics Bee® Website
- 2025 Student Participation Flyer
- 2025 National Civics Bee® Contest Rules – Essay Round
Community Engagement Opportunities
We are excited to offer various opportunities for community partners to be part of this event. Please contact the Chamber office for more information! 618-997-6311
- Sponsorship to help host, promote, and enable participants to have a fantastic experience. (Spring 2025)
- Be a Judge!
- We will need at least 10 judges to judge entries across the country. Registration deadline is in mid January: National Civics Bee® Essay Judge Form (office.com)
- Volunteer the Day of! Provide great hospitality to participants and their families.
2024 National Competition – Video
The inaugural National Civics Bee® Championship brings finalists from 27 states to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation headquarters to test their civics knowledge, skills, and disposition as they compete for big prizes.
Washington, D.C. — Emily Brubaker, a middle schooler from Alaska, has been named the winner of the 2024 National Civics Bee®, a nationwide competition launched by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to encourage young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Twenty-seven student finalists from across America competed in the inaugural National Civics Bee Championship held in the nation’s capital, showcasing their civic knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Along with the title of America’s first National Civics Bee champion, Emily received the Bill Daniels National Civics Award and a $100,000 529 plan that can be used for any future educational purposes….Read More