Barickman Teaches College Course—- Johnson May Be Next

Students attending the Monday night section of a course on state and local government at Illinois State University this fall are learning from someone with a little experience. State Representative ---- and ISU alumnus ---- Jason Barickman is teaching the Politics and Government 221 at the ISU campus in Normal.. The 37 year old Republican says he hopes his students will benefit from his political experience --- and experience of his guest speakers.

"I’m going to bring in individuals from state and local government, both Republicans and Democrats to present some of their stories on various topics," said Barickman. "And at the end of the day, I think the students will get a very inside look at how our --- primarily state government --- governs itself."

Barickman says fellow lawmaker Chapin Rose, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman and Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar are scheduled to visit his class.

Barickman was appointed to the Illinois House last year, and is running unopposed for a state senate seat this fall. He says his legislative schedule and family life will determine if he’s able to continue teaching next year. But ISU is likely to have another area politician on its faculty next year ---- 15th District Congressman Tim Johnson. Press Secretary Phil Bloomer says Johnson is close to signing an agreement to teach a 300-level political science course at ISU in the 2nd half of the spring semester. Johnson is leaving office next year, after a political career that has included service on the Urbana City Council, the Illinois House and six terms in the U-S House of Representatives.