Legislative Internships
Twenty intern positions are awarded annually and equally distributed with the four partisan staffs of the Illinois General Assembly (House Democrats, House Republicans, Senate Democrats, and Senate Republicans). The partisan staffs are directed by the legislative leaders and serve their respective members within the House or Senate.
After training, interns perform the same duties as legislative staff members. Those duties include analyzing bills prior to committee and floor action, analyzing budget requests from state agencies prior to committee and floor action, researching issues, drafting bills, handling press and member services, including website development and maintenance as well as social media, and generally providing staff support for the legislative leader and members of their selected caucus.
Applicants with undergraduate or graduate degrees in all fields are encouraged to apply. The most important qualifications are analytical ability, critical thinking, research experience, and clear writing and communication skills. Previous governmental or political experience is a plus, but not necessary.
Research Internships
Four general research intern positions are awarded with the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA). The Commission is a bipartisan research agency of the Illinois General Assembly, and it researches a wide variety of questions on public finance and issues for legislators. Interns receive basic instruction on the legislative process, and then work independently and with the Commission’s staff to complete research requests. Research results are presented in memorandums to the legislative requestor, general research reports and a variety of publications provided to legislators and other policy makers.
Applicants with undergraduate or graduate degrees in all fields are encouraged to apply. Graduates in fields such as English, economics, political science and business are especially sought. The most important qualifications are analytical ability, critical thinking, research experience and clear, concise writing and communication skills. Previous governmental or political experience is a plus, but not necessary.