Two aldermen invested in their neighborhoods this summer by bringing young residents into their ward offices, giving them a rare look at how local government actually works.
Ald. Silvana Tabares welcomed five interns to her 23rd Ward offices in Garfield Ridge and West Lawn. Ald. Jeylu Gutierrez hired three interns for her 14th Ward office on the Southwest Side.
Both alders prioritized residents from their own communities, a deliberate choice to show young people that government is not something that happens to them, but something they can shape.
“I believe it is important to invest in youth who live in our communities and show them that they have a voice in local government and the ability to make a difference,” Gutierrez said.
Interns applied through schools, nonprofits, and aldermanic offices, then interviewed for positions. Once hired, they had the chance to attend City Council meetings, participate in CAPS community policing meetings, canvass their wards, and report neighborhood problems like graffiti, garbage removal, and rat complaints.
23rd Ward: Five interns, multiple pathways
This summer, Tabares welcomed Edith, Emma, Sofia, Alex, and Salvador. She is partnering with Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Youth Works to show these young residents what it means to be public servants in the City of Chicago and to serve their 23rd Ward community.
Tabares’s team included two high school students from Hancock High School and Jones College Prep, and three college students from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Cornell University, and Saint Xavier University. All are Spanish speakers.
Emma and Alex, the high school interns, learned the administrative backbone of ward operations. Sofia and Salvador, college students, worked directly with residents on constituent services: the complaints, requests, and problems that land on a ward office’s desk.
Edith, a nursing student, returned for a second summer, a sign of the program’s value. Tabares promoted her to the front desk, where she now helps residents navigate service requests using skills she built the year before.
“We are excited to see their growth as individuals and are confident in their potential as future public servants for Chicago,” said Tabares.
The program has a track record. Last summer, two of Tabares’s interns earned full-time positions as aldermanic aides in the Garfield Ridge Ward Office.
14th Ward: Language as a gateway
Gutierrez insisted that Spanish-language ability was non-negotiable in her hiring process. The 14th Ward is predominantly Latino, and she wanted residents to feel comfortable communicating in their preferred language.
“It’s important for me that every resident feels comfortable communicating with someone in our office and can receive assistance in the language they are more comfortable speaking,” Gutierrez said.
Her three interns included a recent Kelly High School graduate heading to Northern Illinois University, a current Pomona College student, and a Loyola University graduate with a political science degree. They were selected based on their government experience, willingness to learn, and attitude toward public service.
One was hired through the Mikva Challenge, an organization focused on youth participation and civic engagement. Although Gutierrez did not formally interview her intern provided by Mikva, she confirms that they always do a great job placing interns that align with the needs of her office and the students’ interests.
Gutierrez said Latinos make up 30% of Chicago’s population but are underrepresented in city leadership. She sees the internship programs as a way to change that.
“I want our young people to know that they are the future of our communities and our city,” Gutierrez said. “Many students have never had the opportunity to see how city government works or how decisions are made that directly impact their neighborhoods. It is especially important to create opportunities for young people from underrepresented communities.
“We must help them develop the confidence and skills to become future leaders. In doing this, I hope we can set a higher standard for civic engagement, public service, and leadership for the next generation.
Gutierrez enjoyed working with the interns and hopes to see them return next summer if they’re interested.
