Legislative Advocacy offers students the opportunity to work on projects with the Illinois State Legislature, spending a number of hours at the State Capitol in Springfield working with legislative leadership. Legislative Advocacy includes lectures and discussions on the realities of the legislative process, the basics of legislative drafting, and an introduction to the procedural aspects of legislative action. In addition, both senate and legislative legislators from both sides of the aisle speak to students regarding their experiences and perspectives. Legislative staff also discuss the duties and responsibilities of staff and Legislative Research Bureau (LRB) staff present practical tips regarding drafting legislation. Finally, representatives from the interest group community give their view of the system and explain to students their essential role in the process.
Students are divided into four teams focusing on a selected topic: two working with the Senate and two working with the House. Students work with both the Republican and Democrat caucuses in both legislative Chambers.
Over the course of Legislative Advocacy program, students may be involved with the following:
- Research;
- Drafting of formal legislative language, e.g., drafting a bill or amendments;
- Preparation of briefing papers based on the research;
- Preparation of hearings on the proposed legislation;
- Interaction with lobbyists, associations, and interest groups attempting to influence the legislation;
- Work on a conference committee report; and other reports which may be required in the course of moving
legislation through the formal and informal legislative processes.
As part of the students' work in completing these tasks, they interact with the legislators who are most involved in sponsoring the proposed legislation and with staff who are responsible for "moving the bill"through the legislature. Students receive direct feedback on their work from legislators and faculty involved with the process. Several classes are devoted to critique and evaluation of the legislative process.
