Illinois Legislative Staff Intern (ILSIP Program)
Illinois Legislative Staff Internship (ILSIP)
For over 60 years, the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program (ILSIP) has provided 24 unique paid internships for keenly interested, deeply motivated and talented individuals to work within state government. With the capitol as both workplace and classroom, ILSIP interns earn $3,300 per month working as professional legislative staff.
Funded by the Illinois General Assembly and administered by the University of Illinois Springfield, ILSIP grew out of a desire to provide individuals with diverse experience and backgrounds insight into the legislative process. The program offers interns the opportunities with either one of the 4 legislative staffs (Illinois House Democrats, Illinois House Republicans, Illinois Senate Democrats, or Illinois Senate Republicans), or for the non-partisan legislative support unit, COGFA (Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability). Interns also participate in an academic seminar during the fall semester, 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.
ILSIP interns work full-time for 10 months for a monthly stipend of $3,300, along with a tuition waiver for four (4) graduate credit hours over the course of two (2) semesters and the option for student health insurance paid as a benefit of the program. The program accepts applicants from all academic backgrounds who have completed an undergraduate or advanced degree. Applicants who are pursuing an undergraduate degree must have been awarded the degree prior to starting the internship.
All application materials are due in the ILSIP office by March 1. Qualified candidates will be invited to interview over video conference. Final selections/placements are announced late April to mid-May. Internships begin in the fall semester. For more information, interested students may call the UIS Office of Graduate Intern Programs at 217-206-6578 or visit the ILSIP website at Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program | University of Illinois Springfield (uis.edu).