Policy and Advocacy Intern

The Illinois Partners Policy and Advocacy Intern will gain real-time, hands‑on experience in public policy and advocacy during the 2027 Legislative Session through supporting the organization’s efforts to advance state policies that strengthen Illinois’ human services system. Priority areas include:
investment in human services and the workforce, promotion of equitable funding models, and implementation of fair contracting practices
.

This role will include coalition building, policy research, legislative outreach, and organizing for action through our Living Wages, Thriving Communities Campaign to demand living wages for human service workers. It will also offer ample opportunities to learn about community-based human services in Illinois, the inner workings of the legislative process, and how collective action can shape public policy and build power for communities across Illinois.

• Serve as a key support in advancing our policy and advocacy agenda with our policy and advocacy team during the 2027 Legislative Session of the Illinois General Assembly.
• Track legislation and monitor emerging policy issues, including bills that will most impact the health and human services sector and its workforce.
• Create policy briefs, action alerts, fact sheets, and other advocacy-related communication materials to inform and mobilize our coalition partners on specific issues in a timely fashion.
• Conduct outreach, secure meetings, and coordinate follow-up with legislators, legislative staff, the Governor’s office, and state agencies.
• Participate in and support facilitation of meetings with relevant committees and working groups, such as the Health and Human Services Coalition of Illinois and the Living Wages Thriving Communities Steering Committee.
• Support initiatives advancing the Living Wages, Thriving Communities Campaign; participate in meetings; conduct outreach to secure endorsements; manage updates for the campaign website; and orchestrate calls to action.
• Travel, as necessary, to Springfield to support advocacy events and meetings and attend onsite meetings and related events with coalition partners in other locations throughout the state.
• Collaborate with and support the broader Illinois Partners team on advocacy-related communications, training, and other organizational activities and attend internal team meetings as needed.

• This is an almost fully remote position offered to students currently enrolled in a Illinois-based, advanced degree program
  .
• Attendance at some in-person meetings and advocacy events required, mostly in Springfield, during legislative session. Travel dates will be shared in advance and coordinated with the intern’s course schedule
• Hours:
  
  15-20 hours per week; flexible scheduling
• Dates:
  January - May (exact dates to TBD with selected candidate)
• Selected candidate must participate in Illinois Partners’
  Building Power in Human Services Advocacy Training Series in February (exact date TBD) or make arrangements with our Training Manager to view recordings.
• $5000 stipend
• One week off for college spring break vacation
• Approved travel will be reimbursed in accordance with organizational policies.

• Currently pursuing a Graduate Level degree in a relevant field of study - public policy, public health, government affairs, public or government relations, etc.
• Excellent communications skills with pertinent experience writing policy briefs, fact sheets, action alerts and/or newsletter items.
• Demonstrated understanding of or interest in how matters of equity, economic justice, and racial justice in human services impact policy making and community well-being.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change and new projects may arise on a daily basis.
• Willingness and ability to travel (Own car not required)

• Experience with advocacy including grassroots organizing, coalition building, legislative outreach, or campaign mobilization activities.
• Experience with human service provision or familiarity with community-based human service organizations.
• Initiative, adaptability, and a collaborative spirit, with a willingness to take on new challenges and contribute wherever needed. .