About the Illinois Jaycees

From Springfield to Saint Charles, from Mount Vernon to Mount Prospect, from Collinsville to Chicago, for over eighty years, Jaycees has been providing leadership opportunities to empower young adults to achieve more. Many business leaders, community leaders and several U.S. Presidents have all been touched by Jaycees.

Jaycees offers ways to improve professional and life skills, while making a difference in local communities. As a Jaycee, not only do members instantly share a common bond with thousands of folks in the local area who have been touched by Jaycees, they also share a common bond with millions of people world-wide. It's truly an eye-opening experience like no other.

Those who join Jaycees do so on a local level by joining a Local Chapter. They automatically become members of the State, National and International organizations, literally providing a world of opportunity to challenge themselves to lead the way in the business, politics, community and personal affairs. So, if you, or someone you know would like to get involved or learn more about the Jaycees, call our State Headquarters in Springfield at (217) 529-5379.

Perhaps you've never heard of Jaycees. That's OK. Now you're getting to know what we're about. There are no secret handshakes nor hidden agendas; at a local meeting you'll find members who come from all walks of life. If you're looking for real, down-to-earth, positive people, look no further. Members join for many of their own personal reasons - for friendship, a sense of community, to enhance their business network, or just to get out of the house and have some fun. One common bond among Jaycees is the belief that is written in the Jaycee Creed, written in 1947 by William Brownfield, stating: "Service to humanity is the best work of life."

Sounds simple, doesn't it? Well, the good news is, for many members, explaining Jaycees is no more complicated than that. We lead to serve; we serve to lead.

While we have supporters of all ages, Jaycees is an organization which was created to provide younger adults, age 18-40, opportunities which they might not otherwise have. Once members pass forty years of age, they are asked to stay on in a support role to mentor others as needed. They know to respect younger adults' need for their own space to grow, to learn cause and effect in the "real world" and to take risks and to have the chance to succeed or fail by making decisions independently. That's leadership in action. That's Jaycees.

Achievements/Awards

The Illinois Jaycees will be celebrating our 80th anniversary in 2011. We have the largest membership base of the US Jaycees. The Illinois Jaycees are proud to host the US Jaycee National Convention in June of 2011.

Executive Team

Media

Become A Jaycee

Support