A new statewide underage drinking awareness program, coordinated through the Illinois Liquor Control Commission's (ILCC) Don't Be Sorry educational program, is underway throughout the State of Illinois entitled "YOUR ACTIONS MATTER!" The goal of this newly developed activity is to change the behavior of adults who think it is “okay” to give alcohol to minors. In a unique twist, teenagers were asked to create the campaign's logo and slogan. That’s right, YOUTH will be educating the ADULTS!

"YOUR ACTIONS MATTER!" is designed to reinforce positive behavior. The vast majority of adults in Illinois do NOT give alcohol to minors nor do the majority of teens drink alcohol. By posting these positive messaging materials in liquor establishments throughout the state, adults will be reminded that giving alcohol to minors – and underage drinking – is NOT the "norm."

The new materials are ready for distribution to businesses and local groups. The youth-designed campaign materials will replace those created for the “Project Sticker Shock” campaign, a popular spring activity in Illinois communities over the past four years (see www.DontBeSorry.org/DontStickerShock.htm for more details).

Winner of youth art contest named

Teens throughout the state submitted designs into the 2013 Don't Be Sorry Youth Art Contest. The winning design, YOUR ACTIONS MATTER!, was created by 15-year-old Ally Pennington from Fairfield Community High School in Wayne County and the Illinois Students Against Destructive Decisions (IL SADD) Student Advisory Board.

A judging panel—featuring key stakeholders in the prevention field, at the local level, and in the liquor industry—reviewed the teen artwork submissions and selected Pennington as the winner, which was announced at a kickoff ceremony on April 18, 2013.

See Partners in Prevention for a list of participating individuals and organizations in the YOUR ACTIONS MATTER! campaign. For questions regarding this new prevention program, please contact Ted Penesis at 312-814-4802 or ted.penesis@illinois.gov.

Click here to order materials for new spring campaign