The Samuel K. Gove Illinois Legislative Internship Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois Springfield inducted five new members during a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the Illinois Old State Capitol in Springfield. Prior to the awards ceremony, a reception was held at 5:30 p.m. This award honors former Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program (ILSIP) interns whose careers exemplify distinguished public service.

 This year’s inductees include:

• Phil Draves, Class of 1988-89, former chief of staff for the Illinois Senate Republican caucus
• Andrew Freiheit, Class of 1993-94, former chief of staff for the Illinois House Republican caucus
• Brian Hopkins, Class of 1988-89, Chicago City Council Ward 2 Alderman
• Steve McClure, Class of 2006-07, Illinois State Senator
• Laura Zaremba, Class of 1993-94, principal at Health Management Associates

Inductees are selected based on their contributions to Illinois and its citizens. The Hall of Fame is also a recognition of the important role that public service internships play in developing public sector leadership.

Three inductees this year – Draves, Hopkins and McClure – are alumni of UIS.

The Hall of Fame is hosted by the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership. The Hall of Fame is named for the late Samuel K. Gove, founding director of the internship program and one of the founders of Illinois Issues magazine.

Established in 1990, the Hall of Fame, including this year’s inductees, now numbers 81 individuals, among them a former governor and several former and current state and federal legislators. The names of the Hall of Fame’s members are inscribed on a plaque that hangs on the fourth floor of the Illinois Statehouse.

Watch a recording of the ceremony.