The Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats ("Tenth Dems") is pleased to begin accepting applications for their Fall 2012 Internship Program. This substantive, intensive internship program --- available for course credit --- is designed for young people deeply interested and engaged in the political process. Tenth Dems is a grassroots political organization that helps to mobilize voters and interest groups in one of the most hotly contested congressional districts in the nation. Our internship program offers
participants the opportunity to develop specific, marketable skills in numerous fields of study. Many former interns have gone on to professional political careers in Washington, D.C., or currently staff national nonprofit organizations.

The pivotal 2012 campaign makes this the perfect time to complete a political internship. General assignments include door-to-door canvassing with candidates, work in campaign offices, staffing of events and issue forums, and
research. In the past, interns have staffed Tenth Dems events featuring then-state legislator, and now U.S. President, Barack Obama, former senators Evan Bayh of Indiana and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, 1972 presidential nominee George McGovern of South Dakota, Vermont Governor and presidential candidate Howard Dean, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Mark Begich of Alaska, and our own Dick Durbin, as well as numerous Illinois state and local elected officials. Interns may also complete specialized assignments in new media, IT management, and political outreach. The internship is really what you make of it.

Internships are unpaid educational volunteer positions, and our fall interns are expected to commit a minimum of eight hours per week. Course credit is available with cooperating high schools and colleges. Acceptance into the internship program is selective, competitive, and contingent upon an interview. Applicants should submit a brief paragraph explaining why they would
like to complete the program, along with a resume summarizing their educational background and activities. Neither need be formal.

Illinois’ Tenth Congressional District contains portions of both Cook and Lake Counties, stretching from Winnetka in the south up to the Wisconsin border, along the lake. The district includes all or part of the following towns:
Arlington Heights, Bannockburn, Beach Park, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Fort Sheridan, Fox Lake, Glencoe, Glenview, Grayslake, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Hainesville, Highland Park, Highwood, Indian Creek, Ingleside, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lake Villa, Lakemoor, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Lindenhurst, Long Grove, Mettawa, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Mundelein,
Niles, North Chicago, Northbrook, Park City, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Riverwoods, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Third Lake, Vernon Hills, Volo, Wadsworth, Waukegan, Wheeling, Winnetka, Winthrop Harbor, and Zion. The district was named by The Washington Post as one of the "10 Most Likely to Flip" in the upcoming election, and is one of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC's) 35 national "races to watch".

To apply, request more information, or for any questions about the program, please contact Rian Watt, Internship Program Coordinator or State Central Committeewoman and former State Representative Lauren Beth Gash, Chair.