The Legislative Applied Study Term (LAST) at the University of Illinois at Springfield combines a careful study of the structures and functions of legislatures with a placement on the staff for a member of the Illinois General Assembly.
It can alternately be taken by students participating with lobbyists, associations, or legislative staff research organizations. The LAST is available each year during the spring semester.
Assignments vary from student to student, based on their placement's needs and the student's interests. Some members need an intern to concentrate on constituent work at the Springfield office.
Some members need the intern to concentrate on tracking and researching bills for committees and the floor. Some members take special trips as part of a legislative delegation and need an intern to assist in making arrangements.
The purpose of the placement is to give interns as much hands-on experience as possible. Past students have come from a variety of majors, including political studies, history, legal studies, communications, and business/management.
This program is for students from all majors and all points of the political spectrum. We encourage you to seriously consider enrolling in the LAST.
