Events

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

2024 is a year of globally consequential elections. Locally, there will be a new checkbox on the ballot: Chicago School Board. Join the IOP and partner institutions for an experiential learning opportunity on the who, what, why, and how of the grand challenges facing Chicago Public Schools.

During this event participants will explore: Why is Chicago holding school board elections for the first time in modern history? How do different departments of Chicago Public Schools interact with one another? What is the funding model for schools in Chicago?

Speakers for this experience include: Sarah Karp, education reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, and Reema Amin, writer for Chalkbeat Chicago.

IOP Pritzker Fellow Ken Buck

IOP Pritzker Fellow David Axelrod

IOP Pritzker Fellow Jordan Sun

IOP Pritzker Fellow Kam Buckner

IOP Pritzker Fellow Génesis Dávila

IOP Pritzker Fellow Ken Buck

IOP Pritzker Fellow David Axelrod

IOP Pritzker Fellow Jordan Sun

IOP Pritzker Fellow Katie Tobin

IOP Pritzker Fellow Kam Buckner

IOP Pritzker Fellow Génesis Dávila

IOP Pritzker Fellow Ken Buck

IOP Pritzker Fellow Jordan Sun

IOP Pritzker Fellow Katie Tobin

IOP Pritzker Fellow Kam Buckner

IOP Pritzker Fellow Génesis Dávila

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

The mobility afforded to Chicagoans through public transportation holds the power to transform communities. In a post-pandemic era, agencies like the Chicago Transit Authority, the Regional Transit Authority, and AmTrak have new goals and obligations to the populations they serve. Join this trek to learn more about how transportation policies and politics shape Chicago.

On this Trek participants will explore: What challenges are there to expand public transportation access? What are creative policies solutions to connect individuals to public transit on a micro and macro level? How are leaders solving fiscal challenges across institutions?

Speakers for this Trek include: Illinois Representative Kam Buckner, a leader in mobility advocacy and transportation policy, Jackie Grimshaw, a trailblazer for early public transportation development in Chicago, and many other key leaders that highlight the legacy and future of public transportation in Chicago. Speakers are subject to change.

IOP Pritzker Fellow Kam Buckner

IOP Pritzker Fellow Génesis Dávila

IOP Pritzker Fellow Katie Tobin

IOP Pritzker Fellow Jordan Sun

IOP Pritzker Fellow David Axelrod

IOP Pritzker Fellow Ken Buck

Learn about our academic year internship program!

Include Event Info Here

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Sister Simone in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student hosts Chris Lee and Valentina Carreno on Tuesday, April 9th from 5:30-7:00 pm in the IOP Student Workroom!

Join the IOP for breakfast before the last day of the DNC!

Join us for breakfast and a discussion with Congressman and current Cornell IOP director Steve Israel

Join us for breakfast and a discussion with former Senator and current IOP director Heidi Heitkamp

Join us in the IOP backyard for breakfast and a talk by Professor Cathy Cohen about the results of a recent poll by UChicago and NORC

Kick-Off DNC Week with the IOP

Come celebrate the successful completion of the academic year internship program with the career development team, student interns, and employer partners on Tuesday, May 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Mercury Public Affairs 225 N Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

Join us for an off-campus coworking day at Cupitol!

Join us to hear from Colonel Dave Butler, followed by a reception.

Baseball night with IOP Career Development

Join IOP Career Development for a movie night at the Logan Center!

Join us to meet and hear from our Illinois Senators.

Join us to learn more about the legislative process.

Join us at the IOP for a Coworking Day!

Join us at the IOP for a Coworking Day!

Join us to learn more about artificial intelligence and public policy.

Join us to hang out, play some board games with the other interns, and enjoy dinner from The Nile!

Join us to explore one of the largest multimedia international broadcasters.

Join us to explore one of the largest multimedia international broadcasters.

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

Join us to meet other interns and enjoy one of Chicago's beautiful beaches!

Meet UChicago alums and take in the amazing view of the National Mall and our nation's capital.

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

Please join the Institute of Politics in celebrating the graduating students of 2024 ahead of the University of Chicago's 538th Convocation!

Know your “how” with Rachel McGovern

Come celebrate the successful completion of the academic year internship program with the career development team, student interns, and employer partners on Tuesday, May 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Mercury Public Affairs 225 N Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

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: How are cities selected for conventions? Are there certain bonafides that are consistent from cycle to cycle?
What are the logistics that go into planning a convention? Specifically, how do you move delegates and very important persons from place to place?
What happens at conventions? Has the agenda changed historically from conventions in the past? Are conventions just gigantic marketing efforts for parties?
How can conventions contribute to the economic development of the cities they are located in? Are they boosters for the local politicians of the host cities?

Speakers for this Trek include: Lynn Sweet, Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times, Republican National Committee, and Maurice (Mo) Green IV, Senior Director of Civic & Community Engagement at Chicago 2024 Democratic National Convention. Additional speakers may be added.

Graduating students are invited to a final happy hour with IOP staff and students! Join us as we prepare to send them into the world beyond UChicago!

Know your “how” with Amanda Iovino

Know your “how” with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

IOP Pritzker Fellow Samar Ali

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Sister Simone in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student hosts Chris Lee and Valentina Carreno on Tuesday, April 9th from 5:30-7:00 pm in the IOP Student Workroom!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Jackie Speier in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student hosts Katie Fraser and Vera Chaudhry on Wednesday, April 3rd from 5:30-7:00 pm in the IOP Student Workroom!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Lynn Sweet in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student hosts Robbie Hlatki and Kishika Mahajan on Tuesday, April 2nd from 5:30-7:00 pm in the IOP Student Workroom!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Mick Mulvaney in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student hosts Taryn Murphy and Nicole Roesler on Monday, April 1st from 5:30-7:00 pm in the IOP Student Workroom!

Friday, April 29
7:30 pm

Join us for the third annual IOP Iftar Dinner. Halal dinner will be served and prayer space will be made available.

Know your “how” with IOP Fellow and former White House Chief of Staff and U.S. Congressman Mick Mulvaney

Know your “how” with IOP & UChicago alum Caroline Hutton, the Director of Voter Protection with the Wisconsin Democratic Party

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Gerardo Bonilla Chavez in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student hosts Ramarko Bhattacharya and Javi Rodriguez on Wednesday, February 21st from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

This Dialogue Dinner is a chance to engage with Pritzker Fellow Matt Gorman in a smaller setting than weekly seminars, discuss a current topic with other students, and enjoy a meal on the IOP. Join student hosts Mina Ivkovic and Autumn Rivers on Monday, February 19th from 5:30-7p in the IOP Student Workroom!

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 history of housing policies in Chicago? What is affordable housing? How can public housing help to reduce the number of cost-burdened households? What is Bring Chicago Home? How would Bring Chicago Home work? What role do community development organizations play in the affordable housing market? What are the best housing policies to address the affordability of safe and dignified homes in Chicago?

Speakers for this Trek include: Professor Christopher Berry, Director of the Mansueto Institute at the University of Chicago, Daniel Cruz, Chicago Housing Authority Chief of Staff, and Nicholette Cameron, Senior Project Manager at Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives. Additional speakers will be added.

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 history of housing policies in Chicago? What is affordable housing? How can public housing help to reduce the number of cost-burdened households? What is Bring Chicago Home? How would Bring Chicago Home work? What role do community development organizations play in the affordable housing market? What are the best housing policies to address the affordability of safe and dignified homes in Chicago?

Speakers for this Trek include: Professor Christopher Berry, Director of the Mansueto Institute at the University of Chicago, Daniel Cruz, Chicago Housing Authority Chief of Staff, and Nicholette Cameron, Senior Project Manager at Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives. Additional speakers will be added.

Know your “how” with IOP Fellow Matt Gorman.

Welcome! Join us to learn more about being a CD Ambassador and connect with the team over breakfast.

Know your “how” with national pollster Jason McGrath of GBAO Strategies. His clients have included former Chicago Mayor and IOP Pritzker Fellow Lori Lightfoot, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, US Sen. John Fetterman (PA) and Raphael Warnock (GA). Hear the inside scoop on how pollsters help run campaigns.

Join us for a virtual info session to learn more about the IOP and GenForward youth survey project.

Join the IOP’s Student Advisory Board for an Iowa Caucus Watch Party on Monday January 15th at 7pm in the IOP living room. Food will be served.

Join the IOP’s Student Advisory Board for an Iowa Caucus Watch Party on Monday January 15th at 7pm in the IOP living room. Food will be served.

New and returning students are invited to start the new year with the IOP at Ida Noyes Hall - Cloister Club. Swing by to preview internship opportunities, winter and spring programming,  and get plugged into leadership opportunities with the IOP or in the upcoming election. Free swag, and food!