2018 Summer Interns Wanted
Interested in the public interest? BPI is seeking exceptional undergraduate, law school and graduate policy school student interns who want to make a difference and gain valuable, hands-on experience working on compelling social justice issues.
Summer interns will assist with our current efforts focusing on justice reform and police accountability, housing and community development, and public education and early childhood learning.
Justice Reform and Police Accountability: We are working to reform Chicago’s police accountability system, reduce prison and jail populations in Illinois’ juvenile and adult systems, expand community-based alternatives to incarceration, and increase opportunities for released prisoners.
Housing and Community Development: We are working to increase affordable housing opportunities throughout the region, especially in safe neighborhoods with good jobs and good schools, and to revitalize public housing communities and strengthen neighborhoods that already have large supplies of affordable housing.
Education and Early Learning: We are working to improve the quality of public education for all Chicago’s children, particularly those living in low- and very low-income neighborhoods and in public housing communities.
We use a variety of strategies to advance our mission, including legal and policy research, advocacy, organizing, legislation, and litigation. Most projects require a combination of these. Most of our work is carried out in close collaboration with community-based organizations, and other policy and advocacy groups. This versatility promotes creative problem-solving and—coupled with our independence and tenacity—has positioned BPI at the forefront of many public interest issues that most affect the lives of people throughout the city and region.
Funding Opportunities: BPI encourages law school intern applicants to apply for funding through the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), which offers stipends for law student interns. The application period for PILI summer intern funding begins Oct. 15 for 2L’s and Dec. 1 for 1L’s. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for funding.
BPI also encourages all prospective interns to seek out funding from their individual schools and other external sources.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
January 23, 2018 update: Applications for 2018 summer internships are now closed. Please check back next fall for 2019 summer internships.