Institute of Politics

Overview of the Organization:

State Senator Robert Peters represents Illinois’s 13th District with offices in Springfield and in the district to handle legislation and constituent services. His office assists residents with state resources, including unemployment, housing, healthcare, and navigating state agencies.

Internship Summary:

The 13th District AY 2025-2026 Intern will experience a variety of community-based, policy oriented, and organizer focused opportunities to further their knowledge of the State of Illinois. The intern will be directly supervised by the Chief of Staff, Maya Rodriguez. The main objectives for the year are to (1) have a wide breadth of knowledge about the state government and its relationship to the district and the city of Chicago as well as (2) developing organizing skills and lessons to further personal investment into the State civic realm.

Responsibilities:

Community Organizing

• Work closely with the Chief of Staff to create new ideas to engage students and constituents in the district
• Lead and staff outreach opportunities in the district in order to maintain and cultivate relationships with student and district stakeholders
• Mobilize students and constituents in the district on behalf of the Chief of Staff

Constituent and District Support

• Maintain and support the Deputy Chief of Staff in Constituent Work in District Office
• Observe and detail key points during policy discussions with the Senator and other thought partners

Communications

• Capture social media content (Twitter, Facebook, TikTok) and work with Senate Democrat Communications and Outreach Teams on publishing
• Distribute information about events and office participation opportunities digitally and physically as needed

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10-15 hours per week with flexible schedule for weekend opportunities
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Social media marketing experience and knowledge
• Self-driven and ability to maintain professional working relationships
• Believes strongly in the fight for equity for working class people

About the Supervisor:

Maya Rodriguez is the Chief of Staff for IL State Senator Robert Peters, covering the Lakefront from Streeterville to the East Side. She focuses on supporting the Senator in intergovernmental and organizational work, particularly in labor and economic justice, public safety, and environmental justice. She holds a M.A. in Sociology from Columbia University and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Chicago. She has organized against General Iron, supported youth activism, and studied and maintained the use of mutual aid in times of crisis. She is a proud 3rd generation Mexican-American, coming from a strong union family

Eligibility

-International and Domestic students -Undergraduate students

Location, Modality, and Commute

-We work in person Monday through Friday, and we would like the intern to come in 2 days a week as their schedule allows -Students are expected to take the 28 or the 171 to the 28 bus to the office, or utilize the campus shuttle system to the best of their ability to the office. Alternatively, biking up Woodlawn to 47th is also encouraged based on weather availability. -1304 E 47th Street Suite 205, Chicago IL 60653

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