Institute of Politics

Overview of the Organization

Cook County Commissioners are elected representatives who serve Cook County and the Forest Preserves; they enact legislation at the County level and their offices assist residents in navigating County services. Cook County’s 8th District is a vibrant area on the northwest side of the City of Chicago. The 8th district is a culturally and economically diverse district spanning 11 neighborhoods; known for its rich immigrant history, the district is home to 300,000 residents of Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Polish descent, among many other ethnicities. The Commissioner shares an office with Alderman Anthony Quezada, who serves the 35th ward; the offices collaborate to ensure that residents receive city and County services. The Commissioner’s district office is focused on a progressive vision to support residents with all County-related issues through the lens of community organizing, and staff collaborates with residents to advocate for the long-term, systemic changes required to meet the needs of our communities.

Internship Summary:

Join the dynamic team of the 8th District Cook County Commissioner, Jessica Vasquez, and contribute to meaningful change in the vibrant 8th District. As an intern, you will work under the supervision of the Commissioner and the Chief of Staff at the district office, and you will primarily help with day-to-day County service functions and may assist with policy research. Constituent service needs include answering phones, assisting constituents with requests, data entry, creating social media content, and developing community resources. The intern may also work with the policy director to research policy and study issues that are affecting 8th district constituents.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research and draft reports on policy projects and issues affecting the 8th district.
• Compile, tabulate, and analyze data.
• Develop community resource guides to benefit district residents.
• Respond to resident inquiries and service requests, drafting both formal and individual responses to resident mail and emails.
• Utilize Google Suite for document creation, spreadsheet management, and database maintenance.
• Manage tables at community events; share information with residents about County services.
• Assist with data entry and maintain office functions such as answering telephone calls, taking messages, and greeting visitors at the joint 35th Ward and 8th District office.
• Collaborate on other projects as directed by the 8th district team, aligned with intern interest.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Required fluency in verbal and written Spanish or Polish
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for effective information gathering, inquiries, and conveying of information.
• Ability to empathize, support, and listen to the needs of residents
• Ability to work in-person at the 8th District Office at 2934 N. Milwaukee Unit C
• Strong team player with keen attention to detail and accuracy.
• Self-motivated with problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or Google Suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferably, at least six (6) months of paid work experience, with a particular focus on customer service experience

About the Supervisor:

Your supervisor will be Kristen Sparks.

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 2025
• Intern Work Period: January – May 2026