Institute of Politics

Overview of Organization:

Founded in 2008, Advance Illinois believes all kids deserve a quality education. We are a non-profit, non-partisan organization with an independent, objective voice that works toward a healthy public education system preparing students to achieve success in college, career, and civic life. We are committed to an aligned education system that strives for equity, stresses college and career readiness and completion, and supports the whole child from the earliest years through adulthood.

Since its founding, Advance Illinois has become a nationally recognized thought leader in birth through post-secondary education policy and advocacy. We believe that through advocacy, partnership, and the effective use of data, we can drive changes that elevate the quality of Illinois’ education system for all. We champion equity and excellence in education to improve lives, communities, and society.

We are known for: Developing data-informed policies to support student success. We make data and research accessible through clear, compelling communication and connect those insights to policy and action. We seek to be a go-to source for unbiased insights and what it takes to ensure excellence in Illinois’ education system. Building leadership, community partnerships, and coalitions of advocates. We partner with communities, education leaders, businesses, and government to make lasting change for the Illinois education system. Elevating racial and socioeconomic equity in the education system. Our passion is to give every student an opportunity to succeed, and we won’t stop until the system produces better results for historically underserved students. Thinking about the whole system and taking on big challenges. We seek bold opportunities to make a difference in the lives of Illinois’ students from birth to career.

We have sought and achieved higher statewide student learning standards and aligned assessments; a new accountability system that is designed to be fair, clear, and supportive; an improved teacher evaluation system; a statewide school-level report card accessible to parents; new requirements for teacher and principal preparation; and statewide adoption of new strategies to reduce college remediation. We have helped foster a statewide network of communities, bringing business, education, and community organizations together to improve education outcomes locally.

More recently, Advance Illinois has helped shape statewide conversations and policy on equitable education funding, college affordability, school accountability, federal and state education data systems, and college and career readiness, while continuing to provide policymakers and advocates with trusted research on the health of Illinois’ education system.

Internship Description:

In the past, our interns have played an integral role in our organization and created briefs and research reports that are still in regular use as information and background for our work. Our interns do substantive, project-based work.

This is a highly entrepreneurial position, and the intern will work closely with the Advance Illinois team on substantive policy and research projects that inform Advance Illinois’ policy positions, advocacy, and broader efforts to improve Illinois’ education system. The intern will gain a thorough understanding of education policy through immersion in several areas of the organization’s work

Responsibilities:

• Conducting research, including literature reviews, policy scans, and landscape analyses, to inform organizational positions on emerging education issues and proposed policy changes and support the development of policy proposals.
• Completing data analysis to deepen our understanding of Illinois’ education landscape, assess the potential impacts of existing or proposed policies, support advocacy efforts, and inform policy recommendations.
• Producing policy briefs, memos, presentations, and other materials that synthesize research and analysis on education policy issues.
• Presenting findings from research or data analysis.
• Collaborating with staff across policy areas and, as appropriate, contributing research and analysis to broader organizational initiatives.
• Proofreading and editing documents and completing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Interest in education as a policy area.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Quantitative research or statistical experience is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively with staff across the organization and other interns.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office.
• Experience in basic data analysis using Excel, R, Stata, or other statistical software is a plus.

Location, Modality and Commute:

The internship may be completed fully remotely. Advance Illinois’ Chicago office is located at 303 E. Wacker Drive, with a planned office move in November of 2026. Staff currently follow a hybrid schedule.

Required Material:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Transcript will be requested later in the interview process

Start and End Date:

The Academic Year internships will take place according to the IOP’s timeline, with specific dates and weekly hours to be determined by the employer partner and intern during the interview process:

• Onboarding: November – December 2026
• Intern Work Period: January – May 2027