Institute of Politics

Overview of Organization:

It’s been five decades, but Jim Edgar often reflects on that character-honing moment. As a young aide to W. Russell Arrington, the Senate Republican leader and most dominant force in the Illinois General Assembly, Edgar tried to comfort his distraught boss at the close of a legislative session by suggesting the impasse on a critical transportation issue actually might benefit the leader politically. “That’s not the point, Jim,” replied Arrington. “We’re here to solve problems, and we didn’t solve the problem.” When Edgar became Illinois’ 38th governor in 1991, he inherited what was then the largest budget deficit in the state’s history. Eight years later, he left a $1.5 billion cushion for his successor. The downstate governor worked on a bipartisan basis with representatives and senators from every corner of Illinois – including the four legislative leaders from the Chicago metropolitan area. Now he is sharing lessons from his distinguished career in public service with emerging leaders from public and private sectors throughout the state. Edgar’s initiative focuses on the requirements and responsibilities of leadership and governing. It holds the promise of facilitating bipartisan and cross-regional cooperation as participants – diverse in race, gender, political persuasion and geography – assume more influential roles

Internship Summary:

By joining Edgar Fellows as an intern for the summer of 2025 you will have a blended opportunity which allows you both meet and interact in person with policymakers from across the state during the Edgar Fellows class of 2025 leadership training seminar held August 3 – 7 in Champaign, Illinois, and to help with the behind the scenes work which allows the program to exist. The class of 40 will include legislators, local elected officials, key public staff and leaders from business labor and nonprofits. Speakers for the 5 days are statesmen and women from the past and present who present on leadership and current public policy topics.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in staffing the 5-day leadership workshop in August
• Help with updates and input on program’s database, including contact, demographic, job and other information
• Create vitae documents on specific individuals or companies which are either currently involved with the program or whom we wish to engage.
• Research foundations (both local and national and help to define which align with the Edgar Fellows mission)
• Potential to be involved in Edgar Fellows regional learning event in June
• Work with staff on preparation for the organization’s fall Chicago Dinner

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pursuing a degree with a focus on political science, government, law, economics, econometrics, public policy or history
• Proficient in data analysis
• Possesses strong writing skills
• Proficiency in Excel and keen attention to detail
• Willingness to learn
• Critical thinking skills
• Effective team player with a positive attitude

About the Supervisor:

Edgar Fellows Executive Director Janet Mathis will be your supervisor. Besides running the Edgar Fellows program, Janet has a successful economic development business called The Development Consortium. She was a member of Governor Edgar’s press staff and had a tenure in state government which included stints in the Illinois Department of Agriculture; the state’s Toronto, Ontario, Canada trade office; and as a business development representative for the Illinois Department of Commerce. She was a Fellow herself in 2014. Her degree is in Agricultural Industries from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. You will also interact frequently with Associate Director Matt Baughman. Matt is a graduate of Illinois College with a Masters Degree from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. Matt was a Dunn Fellow in the Governor Edgar’s Press office and went on to become the Associate Director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and later Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at SUI-Carbondale. Matt was in the Fellows class of 2013.

Location, Modality and Commute:

This internship by and large involves remote working. You are required to be in Champaign for the August Workshop August 3-7. Weekly or twice weekly check-ins via Zoom will also be required with the staff available for questions throughout your internship. As other opportunities arise for in-person interaction, every attempt will be made to include you as an intern.

Start and End Date:

Summer internships will take place from June 10 to September 27, with specific dates to be determined by the employer partner and intern during the interview process.