Location: Chicago, IL
Deadline Extended! Apply by May 19, 2026
This summer opportunity is part of a new partnership between the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth and the Institute of Politics. All University of Chicago students enrolled in the College are eligible to apply for a summer internship as part of the inaugural UChicago Polsky Summer 2026 Policy Fellowship Program. Graduate students are not eligible to apply. The selected student will receive a $6,000 stipend for 320 hours or 8 weeks of full-time work for the fellowship. Applications for this opportunity are due at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Overview of Organization: The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) advances equitable economic growth and opportunity across the state. Within DCEO, the Office of Energy & Business Innovation (OEBU) oversees the implementation of clean energy programs under the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), and the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG). OEBU collaborates with state agencies, community organizations, industry partners, and labor stakeholders to drive a clean, equitable, and economically beneficial energy transition.
Responsibilities: Data Analytics & Performance Support
- Assist in organizing and maintaining program data related to CEJA and CPRG initiatives.
- Support the development of dashboards, summaries, spreadsheets, and visualizations that communicate program outcomes and stakeholder impacts.
- Help track performance metrics related to workforce development, contractor participation, community engagement, and program implementation.
- Assist with compiling and synthesizing data from multiple programs and agencies to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
- Support internal coordination efforts related to cross-program performance monitoring and reporting alignment.
Digital Tools & Portal Support
- Assist with research and organizational support related to public-facing clean energy resource portals and digital tools.
- Help review and organize information related to CEJA workforce, contractor, and community resource tools for accessibility and usability.
- Support testing, documentation, and user-focused feedback collection for digital engagement tools and systems.
Communications & Outreach Support
- Assist with drafting and organizing outreach materials, summaries, presentations, and stakeholder communications.
- Support development of accessible and equity-centered communication materials, including multilingual and community-focused outreach approaches.
- Help coordinate communication efforts across clean energy-related DCEO divisions and partner organizations.
- Assist with gathering and organizing stakeholder feedback related to outreach effectiveness and program communications.
- Support planning and coordination of webinars, workshops, stakeholder meetings, and public engagement activities.
Stakeholder & Interagency Coordination
- Support collaboration with community-based organizations, labor partners, utilities, contractors, educational institutions, and other stakeholders engaged in clean energy programs.
- Participate in meetings and working groups focused on program coordination, communications alignment, and performance tracking.
- Assist with documenting meeting outcomes, action items, and coordination materials for internal and external partners.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Interest in clean energy policy, public administration, equity-focused program design, sustainability, or data-driven evaluation.
- Ability to communicate clearly with diverse audiences.
- Experience or interest in community engagement, public outreach, or accessible communications.
- Familiarity with spreadsheet analysis, dashboards, or data visualization tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and work collaboratively across teams.
Eligibility:
- Domestic and international students
- Upper-level undergraduate students enrolled in a relevant field such as: Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Data Science, Communications, Public Administration, Sustainability, Economics, and related disciplines
About the Supervisor: The Fellow will be supervised by the Deputy Director of Energy & Utility within OEBU, who oversees program integration, cross-agency coordination, stakeholder ecosystem development, and implementation support for CEJA and related clean energy initiatives.
Location/Modality/Commute: Position based in Chicago, with flexibility for hybrid or remote work depending on fellowship guidelines and agency needs. Occasional travel to meetings, events, or stakeholder engagements may be requested.
Start/End Date: Summer internships run from June 1 through September 25. Exact start and end dates will be determined during the interview process.
Required Materials:
- Resume
- Brief cover letter expressing interest in clean energy and public service
Modality Notes
The Springfield team works in the office on Mondays, but Chicago in-office days depend on meetings and trainings.
Commuting Notes
555 W Monroe, Chicago