Illinois Legislative Studies Internship Program
As the focal point of policy development and political activity, Illinois General Assembly has become an exciting arena for young people to experience state government first-hand by working as an Illinois Legislative Staff Intern with the legislative leaders who will shape public policy in Illinois for the next decade.
For over forty eight (48) years, the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program (ILSIP) has provided twenty-four (24) unique internship experiences for keenly interested, deeply motivated and talented individuals to work within state government. With the capitol as both workplace and classroom, ILSIP interns earn eight (8) graduate credits from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Funded by the Illinois General Assembly through the Legislative Research Unit and administered by the University of Illinois at Springfield, ILSIP grew out of a desire to provide individuals with diverse experience and backgrounds, insight into the legislative process. The program offers interns a ten and a half (10.5) month , full-time position as a professional legislative staff member working with either the Illinois General Assembly or Legislative Research Unit. Interns also participate in an academic seminar conducted by UIS faculty.
The ILSIP experience is intended to broaden the perspective of those planning academic, business or government careers so that they will carry into their chosen fields an understanding of the legislative process and how it relates to their work. In addition to providing interns exposure to the legislative process, the program provides legislative leaders with research and other professional staff assistance.
After completing this program many interns continue working in state government, while others gain employment at other levels of government, attend law school, or pursue opportunities in the private sector.
Total number of annual placements - 24
Five (5) legislative analyst positions with each of the four partisan leadership staffs
Three (3) research positions with the Legislative Research Unit (LRU)
One (1) science writing position with the LRU
Length of appointment: 10.5 months (August 16 to June 30)
Stipend: $2,026 per month
Requirement: Undergraduate degree completed prior to start date.
Location: Springfield, Illinois
College Credit/Tuition/Fees: Interns receive eight (8) hours of graduate credit in Political Science for completing the program. Associated tuition, mandatory University fees, and textbooks are provided by the program. All interns are required to complete the ILSIP academic seminar in the fall term.
Health Insurance: Interns are eligible for regular student health insurance. The premium is paid by the program.
Backgrounds preferred: All academic majors are welcome.
Application Deadline: All materials must be submitted or postmarked by March 1.
Final selection/placements announced: Late April to early May
Application materials can be obtained by on this webpage, just click on the links to the right.
For questions regarding the application materials or application process contact:
Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program
Attn: Barbara Van Dyke-Brown, Director
Legislative Internships and Advocacy Programs
Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Policy Studies
University of Illinois at Springfield
One University Plaza, MS PAC 451
Springfield, Illinois 62703-5407
Phone: 217.206.6579
Fax: 217.206.7397
Email: vandykebrown.barbara@uis.edu