Internships

Senator Durbin offers an internship program for students of all majors, undergraduate, graduate, and law students who are interested in experiencing the workings of a Senator's office.

Intern schedules are based on each student's days and hours of availability. Applications received early will be given preference. Students are strongly urged to send their materials as soon as possible, as positions fill quickly.

WASHINGTON, D.C. INTERNSHIPS

Staff members in the Washington, D.C. office assist the Senator directly with his legislative responsibilities by performing research, tracking and developing legislative initiatives, and contacting constituents and their representatives. Based on the individual’s availability and skills, interns will work with legislative staff, press staff, and administrative staff.

All interns are required to perform general office support duties. In addition, interns are given substantive work as they perform legislative research, assist staff in writing memos, attend briefings and hearings, and provide additional support in both the Senator’s leadership and policy offices. Press interns also assist the press secretaries to conduct legislative and media research, draft press releases, conduct outreach to the Senate Recording Studio, and help with upkeep of the Senator’s website.

Summer 2024 Session Dates

May 27, 2024 - August 23, 2024

Application Deadline

March 15, 2024

Applications received early will be given preference and those received after the deadline will be considered as space allows. Students are strongly urged to send their materials as soon as possible, as positions fill quickly. Detailed instructions can be found on the application. If you have questions please email internships@durbin.senate.gov or call 202.224.2152.

All interested undergraduate and graduate students should apply online using the link below. You must create an account to access the application.

Washington D.C. Internship Application

 

LAW CLERKS

As the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Durbin offers a Law Clerk Program for law students who are interested in experiencing the day-to-day, in-person, operations of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Law Clerks work with the attorneys on Senator Durbin’s Senate Judiciary Committee team and are given assignments that involve conducting legal research, drafting memos that analyze case law, statutes, and legislation, attending briefings, and preparing for congressional hearings.

These assignments are related to issues that fall under the Senate Judiciary Committee’s jurisdiction, including judicial nominations, immigration, civil rights and civil liberties, criminal law and criminal justice reform, constitutional law, antitrust, and intellectual property. While the majority of the work is substantive in nature, legal interns also are assigned some administrative tasks. Academic credit--based solely on each institution's criteria--may be earned.

Spring Session

  • January through May
  • Applications due mid-October

Summer Session

  • June through August
  • Applications due early February

Fall Session

  • September through December
  • Applications due mid-June

Applications received early will be given preference. Students are strongly urged to send their materials as soon as possible, as positions fill quickly. Remote clerkships are not available at this time. Detailed instructions can be found on the application. If you have questions about the Law Clerk Program please email internships@durbin.senate.gov or call 202.224.7703.

All interested law students should apply online using the link below. You must create an account to access the application. 

 

Law Clerk Application

 

Illinois Internships

Sen. Durbin's Illinois offices (located in Chicago, Springfield, Rock Island, and Carbondale) assist constituents in matters dealing with federal services and provide outreach to constituent interest groups on behalf of the Senator. Based on the individual's availability and skills, interns will work with outreach staff, caseworkers, press secretaries and administrative staff.

All interns are required to perform reception and general office support duties. In addition, interns are given as much substantive work as possible, including opportunities to conduct legislative research, assist with casework matters, and work with the press team.

Summer 2024 Session Dates

May 27, 2024 - August 23, 2024

Application Deadline

March 15, 2024

Applications received early will be given preference and those received after the deadline will be considered as space allows. Students are strongly urged to send their materials as soon as possible, as positions fill quickly. Detailed instructions can be found on the application. If you have questions please email internships@durbin.senate.gov or call 312.353.4952.

All interested undergraduate and graduate students should apply online using the appropriate link for the office they are interested in below. You must create an account to access the application.

Chicago Internship Application

Springfield, Carbondale and Rock Island Internship Application 

  

  

ED GREELEGS SCHOLARSHIPS

In 2017, Senator Durbin established the Ed Greelegs Scholarship Program. This scholarship, open to students from Illinois or those studying in Illinois, is an opportunity to receive financial assistance while obtaining a first-hand experience in Senator Durbin’s Washington, DC or Illinois offices.

About Ed Greelegs

For Ed Greelegs, being a good public servant was always a privilege. He avoided the spotlight, and he was there to help people and to help America meet the challenges of our times. Ed Greelegs started working for Senator Richard J. Durbin in 1990 and served as his chief of staff in the House of Representatives and Senate for a combined 17 years. Ed was a beloved member of the Capitol Hill community, and made our country better with his caring approach and dedication to public service.

OVERVIEW

The Ed Greelegs scholarship is open to interns in Senator Durbin’s offices in Washington, D.C. and Illinois as well as law clerks. Interested applicants who believe they meet the eligibility requirements should fill out the Ed Greelegs Scholarship application IN ADDITION TO the internship or law clerk application.

Eligibility Requirements

Each applicant:

•             Must be a resident of Illinois or be enrolled in an accredited college or university in Illinois

•             Must demonstrate financial need

•             Must not be receiving outside financial aid for their internship

•             Must have demonstrated an interest in public service and the legislative process

APPLICATION

Students must complete an internship or law clerk application before applying for the Ed Greelegs scholarship.

Applications received early will be given preference and those received after the deadline will be considered as space allows. Students are strongly urged to send their materials as soon as possible. Detailed instructions can be found on the application. If you have questions about the Ed Greelegs scholarship please email internships@durbin.senate.gov or call 202.224.2152.

All interested students who have completed an internship or law clerk application should apply online using the link below. You must have created an account to access the application.

Ed Greelegs Scholarship Application