The Stock Market Game
Illinois Capitol Challenge
Select a program year from the list below.
Illinois Capitol Challenge (ICC) is offered every fall, matching state legislators and others to SMG schools. The program is funded by Citigroup Foundation.
Teachers who register for The Stock Market Game, and whose State Senator or Representative has registered for Illinois Capitol Challenge, are invited to identify two student teams ("Super Teams") to be sponsored in name only by that legislator.
Students compete in their usual SMG region for prizes and recognition, and also compete with other ICC teams in a separate pull-out of the SMG.
At the end of the fall session, teachers of the top three teams win cash awards; the top teams win a trip to Springfield, the second and third place teams win certificates of award and medals and an in-school award ceremony. Legislative sponsors visit their schools to learn how the students are managing their SMG portfolios, and better understand the teaching/learning process.
Teachers or legislators with any questions should contact Econ Illinois.The program is funded by Citi Foundation
Who can participate?
Most teachers who have participated in Illinois Capitol Challenge in past years, and whose Illinois Senator or Representative is participating, are invited to return to the program. In legislative areas where there is no past teacher-participant, or a past teacher-participant is unable to participate in the current year, Econ Illinois will extend an invitation for participation to qualifying teachers.
What is the timeframe?
The Illinois Capitol Challenge portfolio competition runs during the fall months and concludes in early December. Students receive their recognition in January or February.
Participating teachers select two "Super Teams" to be enrolled in Illinois Capitol Challenge. Teams manage only one account, that being the account which is registered in one of the fall SMG sessions. Illinois Capitol Challenge teams are expected to have made their first stock buy by October 15.
Teachers receive an invitation to participate directly from Econ Illinois.
The value of Illinois Capitol Challenge
The ICC pull-our program helps keep Illinois legislators informed about advances that students in their district make each year through The Stock Market Game™, including better understanding of the global economy, developing personal financial skills, and improving their knowledge of math, economics and business.
The Illinois Capitol Challenge also provides Illinois legislators an opportunity to visit the schools in their home district to witness the valuable academic and life lessons students learn from the SMG program – and to inspire and serve as role models for the students.
What Teachers Say
Read what teachers say about Illinois Capitol Challenge and The Stock Market Game™ program.