SUMMER 2016 EXTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION, OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER SHERINA
EDWARDS
ANNE MCKEON
LEGAL AND POLICY ADVISOR TO COMMISSIONER MAYE
ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION
160 N. LASALLE, C-800 | CHICAGO, IL 60601
312.814.5870
AMCKEON@ICC.ILLINOIS.GOV
The Illinois Commerce Commission (“ICC”) is a quasi-judicial tribunal which regulates
public utility services in the U.S. state of Illinois. The mission of the ICC is "to pursue an
appropriate balance between the interest of consumers and existing and emerging service
providers to ensure the provision of adequate, efficient, reliable, safe and least-cost public
utility services." The most visible part of this mission is the setting of rates and charges
for service by public utilities. (For the ICC, the term "public utility" includes private
companies serving the public, but not municipal utilities that are, in a sense, owned by the
public.) Examples of utility types regulated by the ICC include electric, natural gas,
telecommunications, water, and sewer. The ICC also regulates certain transportation
activities, including railroad safety, towing, trucking, and household goods moving.
The ICC has five Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor of Illinois for five
year terms and confirmed by the Illinois Senate.
Position Description
The Legal and Policy Intern shall assist the Commissioner and the Commissioner’s legal
and policy advisors with research, analysis, and development of issues and opinions
relating to the industries regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). In
addition, the intern may conduct research projects, prepare reports and studies, and
determine statutory compliance by applying legal standards.
The intern must possess qualities of impartiality and professionalism, and be able to
complete projects in a thorough and expeditious manner. The ideal candidate should also
demonstrate qualities of integrity and the ability to take initiative.
Specific tasks include the following:
1.
Provide advice, analysis and research on a variety of issues related to the regulation
of energy, telecommunications, water, and the transportation industries.
2.
Plan and conduct extensive and complex research to determine statutory compliance
by applying legal methods and procedures with reference to the legal implications
involved.
3.
Confer with the Commissioner and advisors on controversial problems of statutory
interpretation and compliance.
4.
Assist in the preparation of case summaries, questions, alternative orders, reviews
and critiques orders, testimony, staff reports and/or filings and otherwise provides
policy analysis to assist the Commissioner and advisors.
5.
Provide research and information for and draft letters, memoranda, speeches and
legislation as requested by the Commissioner.
6.
Assist the Commissioner in drafting dissenting and concurring opinions.
7.
Participate in meetings or other events, as required.
8.
Perform other duties, special projects or research, as required or assigned, which are
reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
This intern opportunity is open to full-time students who have completed their first year
of law school and to part-time students who have completed 28 hours of course credit.
This opportunity is available each semester. Qualifications include superior written and
oral communication skills; knowledge of and/or interest in public service, state
government and/or agency programs, rules, regulations, policies, procedures; and,
importantly, the ability to apply human relations skills in interaction with ICC staff,
representatives of government and private industry. Students interested in this intern
placement should send a cover letter and resume to the attention of Anne McKeon via
email at the email address listed above ON OR BY February 26, 2016.