(SPRINGFIELD) Delegates at the 97th Illinois FFA Convention officially voted this past Tuesday to add a sixth major state officer position, marking the first expansion of the officer team in nearly three decades. After a short debate, an overwhelming majority of the 422 FFA members serving as delegates approved the amendment to the Illinois Association FFA Constitution & Bylaws to add a State Sentinel. The last change to the major state officer team came back in 1996 when the combined position of Secretary-Treasurer was split into two separate roles. The first Illinois FFA State Sentinel will be elected in today’s session as ten candidates are vying for a spot on the 2025-2026 state officer team, which will serve statewide members over the next year. Outgoing Illinois FFA State President Tristan Payne of the Olney FFA Chapter at Richland County High School will oversee today’s election.
