Events

The IOP hosts Chicago Treks in partnership with the Harris School's Center for Effective Government. Each trek offers 20 students the chance to dive into a political issue area through meeting with a broad range of public service practitioners.

On this Trek participants will explore: What is the process of creating a municipal budget in Chicago? Historically has it been an inclusive and efficient process? Who are the main stakeholders when creating a municipal budget? The Mayor? The Office of Budget and Management? City Council? Is the annual budget a moral document? What type of values get inserted into the budget? Technically, how do you estimate revenue? How do you reduce deficits and shortfalls? How do debt and pension considerations affect the budget’s outlook?

Speakers for this Trek include: Annette Guzman '06, City of Chicago Budget Director, Chicago Office of Budget and Management Staff, Thea Crum, Director of Neighborhood Initiatives at the University of Illinois at Chicago Great Cities Institute, and Adam Slade, Visiting Research Specialist at the Great Cities Institute. Additional speakers may be added.

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Visiting Pritzker Fellow Chase Strangio in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join us on Monday, November 6th from 5-6:30p in the IOP living room!

Join the IOP for a three-day trip to the state that makes or breaks presidential campaigns, as we give you an up-close look at the Iowa caucuses.
We'll visit with local reporters and party officials to get a sense of the political landscape, talk to campaign officials about caucus strategy, and watch a caucus in action. It's an opportunity that only happens every four years, and you won't want to miss it.
The IOP is hosting this info session so students can learn more about the Trek, what we'll see and do, and how to apply!

Join us to learn about White House Internships. Session led by former White House interns.

What to expect when you’re expecting to run (or helping someone try to win)

The IOP hosts Chicago Treks in partnership with the Harris School's Center for Effective Government. Each trek offers 20 students the chance to dive into a political issue area through meeting with a broad range of public service practitioners.

On this Trek participants will explore: Where are the migrants and refugees arriving from? How are they reaching Chicago? Are they choosing Chicago as their destination? What does it mean to be a sanctuary city? Does the name have political benefits or repercussions? What is the City of Chicago doing to assist new arrivals? Is this enough? What more should be done? Migration is likely to become a long-term reality of life in Chicago. What does the future look like for city government and its partners?

Speakers for this Trek include: Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, 48th Ward Alderperson and Isaias Solis, Senior Director of Erie Neighborhood House. Additional speakers may be added.

Join us to learn about all of the opportunities to get involved in IOP Elections 24 Programming

IOP Pritzker Fellows Kate Brown, Larry Hogan, Jeff Larson, Stephanie Murphy, Rhymefest & Chase Strangio

Join us to begin onboarding for AY 2023-24!

Join us virtually for a remote lunch and media club!

Meet your Mentees or Mentors, accompanied by an amazing view of the city!

Join us for a captivating coworking day at the Harold Washington Library, featuring guided tours by library staff and access to Harold Washington archives and exhibits.

Join us as we delve into the inner workings of the Chicago City Council and gain a deeper understanding of the Chicago political landscape.

Discover insights and solutions for bridging the urban-rural divide at an event hosted by Mercury LLC, featuring former US Representative Cheri Bustos.

Join us as we delve into the inner workings of City Hall and gain a deeper understanding of Chicago.

Join us at the IOP for a Coworking Day!

Join us to celebrate July 4th in the capital with its signature fireworks show!

Join us at the IOP for a Coworking Day and the launch of our Summer Book Club

Join us to meet other interns and enjoy pizza accompanied by an amazing view of the city!

Join us virtually for our introductory event and the launch of our Summer 2023 Book Club

Enjoy some boba with IOP staff and your fellow interns following the Charles H. Percy Summer in Washington Reception!

Join us to watch Congress Members play baseball!

Join us to meet other interns and take in a private screening of a Chicago political documentary!

Join us to meet other interns and enjoy the city before the summer season kicks in!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Visiting Pritzker Fellow Joan Donovan in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student hosts Connor Lee and Yeap Qian Fang on Monday, May 15th from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Visiting Pritzker Fellow Joan Donovan in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student hosts Connor Lee and Yeap Qian Fang on Monday, May 15th from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Visiting Pritzker Fellow Joan Donovan in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student hosts Connor Lee and Yeap Qian Fang on Monday, May 15th from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

Looking for Help with your resume, cover letter, or just want some career advice? Feel free to drop by the IOP for some personalized help from one of the IOP's Career Development Staff.

Join Leaders of Color and multicultural student organizations at the IOP House for free food, music, and community. Connect with student leaders from across campus!

Join UChiVotes for a film screening of The Young Vote, a film by Diane Robinson! The Young Vote follows a group of students and activists during the 2020 election to understand young people's perceptions of voting and civic engagement. Taking the audience alongside activists from California, Florida, Kentucky, and Texas as they challenge barriers to civic participation, The Young Vote explores civic power and the future of democracy.

Looking for Help with your resume, cover letter, or just want some career advice? Feel free to drop by the IOP for some personalized help from one of the IOP's Career Development Staff.

Looking for Help with your resume, cover letter, or just want some career advice? Feel free to drop by the IOP for some personalized help from one of the IOP's Career Development Staff.

The IOP hosts Chicago Treks in partnership with the Harris Center for Effective Government. Each trek offers 20 students the chance to dive into a political issue area through meeting with a broad range of public service practitioners. Participants will explore: What is Chicago’s relationship with climate change and climate activism? Lake Michigan is Chicago’s greatest environmental resource. What steps are being taken to protect it and the shores that surround it? Chicago is often cited as one of the worst cities for smog and air pollution. What are some solutions to reducing air pollution and improving the quality of life of those in the City? Environmental racism has been a growing problem in Chicago for decades. How can marginalized Chicagoans become protected from dumping sites, harmful emissions, and lead pipes? What are reasonable steps to be taken? Speakers include: Mark Mesle, Senior Outreach Coordinator at the National Parks Conservation Association, and Deborah Philbrick, Program Officer at the MacArthur Foundation. Additional speakers will be added.

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Visiting Pritzker Fellow Asa Hutchinson in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student host Jacob Steinberg on Monday, April 17th from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

Looking for Help with your resume, cover letter, or just want some career advice? Feel free to drop by the IOP for some personalized help from one of the IOP's Career Development Staff.

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Adrian Perkins in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join hosts Ramarko Bhattacharya and Adam Sachs on Thursday, April 13th from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

Join IOP for an Iftar dinner gathering during the special month of Ramadan

Looking for Help with your resume, cover letter, or just want some career advice? Feel free to drop by the IOP for some personalized help from one of the IOP's Career Development Staff.

The IOP hosts Chicago Treks in partnership with the Harris Center for Effective Government. Each trek offers 20 students the chance to dive into a political issue area through meeting with a broad range of public service practitioners. Participants will explore: What is the purpose of the new Police District Councils? Given the new mayor and city council, how is Chicago expected to change? During the campaign season, there were talks of rebuilding the ranks of the Chicago Police Department. How likely is this rebuild? Given the tightness in the Mayoral race, was the result to be expected? Speakers include: Dion McGill, 7th Police District Council Member-Elect, Isaac Troncoso, Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability Commissioner, and Erik Wallenius, Cook County Assessor's Office Director of Policy.

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Matthew Yglesias in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join hosts Olafur Oddsson Cricco and Sanjay Srivatsan on Wednesday, April 5th from 5:30-7p in the IOP Living Room!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Peter Meijer in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join hosts Nancy Smith and Jacob Sher on Wednesday, April 5th from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Beto O'Rourke in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join hosts Tara Farwana and Solana Adedokun on Tuesday, April 4th from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Steve Sisolak in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join hosts Henry Cantor and Forum Shelat on Monday, April 3rd from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Robin Rue Simmons in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join hosts Sophie Hare and Norma Ferrell on Tuesday, March 28th from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

Join the CE team for an end-of-quarter Sip OJ & Paint to celebrate student group cohorts and leaders! Mini canvases for all, coloring books for the paint-opposed.

Want the opportunity to share what issues are important to you and what you hope the future of public service looks like at the IOP? Or want the chance to just say “hello” to Senator Heitkamp? Well then, join us for a meet and greet!

The IOP hosts Chicago Treks in partnership with the Harris Center for Effective Government. Each trek offers 20 students the chance to dive into a political issue area through meeting with a broad range of public service practitioners. Participants will explore: How are resources being coordinated between the government and nonprofit organizations to address the homelessness crisis? Is Chicago addressing homelessness with humane principles? How does Chicago compare to its peers on issues of housing and homelessness? Speakers include Jose Munoz, Executive Director at La Casa Norte and James Rudyk, Executive Director of Northwest Center.

Join W+ and LOC for a panel discussion on Southside Organizing, featuring student organizers and speakers from STOP (Southside Together Organizing for Power).

If you are a fourth year student in the College trying to navigate the uncertainty of finding a full-time job in public service after graduation, join UChicago alums to hear their stories on how they networked and applied for jobs to find employment after graduation. Join the IOP to talk strategy for finding jobs, networking with alumni, and explaining to your family that the public service hiring process is not straightforward and takes longer than classmates opting to go into more traditional private sector jobs. 

The IOP hosts Chicago Treks in partnership with the Harris Center for Effective Government. Each trek offers 20 students the chance to dive into a political issue area through meeting with a broad range of public service practitioners. Participants will explore: What was the process like to create the new Chicago Ward map? What are the key issues being debated in this election cycle? Have the issues changed since 2019? Which groups stand to gain or lose power in the upcoming election?
Speakers include Chaundra Van Dyk, Advocacy Director at CHANGE Illinois; Rory Gilchrist, Projects Coordinator at CHANGE Illinois; and Heather Cherone, Political Reporter at WTTW/Chicago PBS.

Interview Workshop