SkillsUSA Illinois

09/03/2026

⭐️Meet your SkillsUSA Illinois State Secretary, Sophie Thrasher!⭐️

Sophie is a junior at Clinton High School, serving as her chapter’s reporter. She is in the Agricultural Animal Sciences CTE Field, wanting to pursue a career in veterinary science.

How do you plan to Level Up this year:
I hope to Level Up this year by helping others to grow and level up themselves by spreading my passion for this organization! Whether that comes in the form of helping members practice their skills, deepening my leadership skills, or advocating for CTE and SkillsUSA, I am willing to do it all. Doing this would build my personal confidence which really impacts all of my Personal, Workplace, and Technical skills for the better. Overall, I want to Level Up everyone and teach others how they can get involved with SkillsUSA by believing in themselves!

09/01/2026

⭐️Meet your SkillsUSA Illinois State Parliamentarian, Mila Cronkleton!⭐ ️

Mila is in her first year at Missouri University of Science and Technology, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She is in the Engineering CTE Field, wanting to pursue a career in Engineering Design.

How do you plan to Level Up this year: I’m leveling up this year by beginning my engineering studies and continuing to build the skills, confidence, and experience I’ll need for my future career. I’m ready to take on new challenges and make the most of every opportunity!

08/28/2026

SkillsUSA Illinois Advisors - A NEW opportunity to help prepare you for the school year! Sign up for FREE: https://www.skillsusa.org/events/skillsusa-point/

Join SkillsUSA Point on Sept. 3, 2026 — a virtual kickoff to ground advisors in the Framework and plan the 2026–27 chapter year.

08/27/2026

⭐️Meet your SkillsUSA Illinois State Treasurer, Kaleb Schirmer!⭐

Kaleb is a junior at Peotone High School, serving as his chapter’s vice president He is in the Construction CTE Field, wanting to pursue a career in welding.

How do you plan to Level Up this year: This year, I plan to level up by improving my welding skills at the Kankakee Area Career center I want to challenge myself to try new things. I also want to motivate skillsusa members and show them what it means to be hardworking, dedicated, and a good leader. I hope I can lead by example and encourage others to become the best they can be.

08/25/2026

⭐️ Meet your SkillsUSA Illinois State Historian, Jane Chan!
⭐️ Jane is a senior at Carl Sandburg High School, serving as her chapter’s president. She is in the Business CTE Field, wanting to pursue a career in consulting or law.

How do you plan to Level Up this year: I will Level Up this year by advocating for CTE on my district’s education board, school, and community. My self-motivation and passion for building the next generation of workers clearly exemplifies this year’s motto. I hope to be a leader that people look up to while promoting the values of SkillsUSA!

08/24/2026

SkillsUSA Illinois Welcomes Katie Friedl as New State Director

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone for our organization. SkillsUSA Illinois is proud to welcome back one of its own, Katie Friedl, as our new State Director!

For Katie, this appointment is more than a new professional opportunity - it’s a homecoming. Her SkillsUSA journey began at the age of 16 as a sophomore at Carl Sandburg High School. Over the past 24 years, she has experienced the organization from nearly every vantage point imaginable: from a dedicated student member and competitor to a State Officer, passionate volunteer, and Consultant for SkillsUSA Illinois.

Katie’s career path also includes 16 valuable years teaching in Chicago Public Schools, where she earned her National Board Certification in Early Childhood Education. This foundational experience in education reinforced her desire to make a lasting impact on students' futures, ultimately drawing her back to her roots at SkillsUSA Illinois.

A resident of Chicago for the past 20 years, Katie enjoys traveling and discovering new adventures when she isn’t empowering students.

With over two decades of experience and dedication to our mission, Katie is excited to step into this role and empower the next generation of SkillsUSA students to become career-ready leaders.

Please join us in giving Katie a warm welcome back to the team! We can't wait to see the incredible impact she will have on our students and advisors.

06/29/2026

Thank you so much to the Hope Scholarship for helping the Illinois State Officers! We are so thankful and appreciative for all your support!

06/24/2026

Leverage & NLSC 2026 Recap from your SkillsUSA Illinois State Officers!

06/05/2026

And the inaugural Middle School Quiz Bowl Champions, From Illinois - Clinton JR High School! Congratulations to ALL Illinois competitors!