Graduate students participating in the Policy & Research Legislative Fellowship run by CSBS get hands-on experience bridging the gap between theory and practice at state level. Read more below about two of these students, Special Education graduate student Rebecca Folkerts as she talks about working with State Representative Ammons to provide child welfare policy recommendations that protect and support youth and families in Illinois and Civil and Environmental Engineering graduate student Dalton Stewart discussing the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and working with Senator Bennett to find the best legislative approach to elevated electricity prices.

Rebecca Folkerts

Rebecca Folkerts is a graduate student in Special Education placed with State Representative Carol Ammons. Rebecca’s project addresses the various problems of the Child Welfare System in the State of Illinois by researching US and international legislation and policies that could be applied to Illinois. The goal of the project is to design legislation and policy that will provide further preventive measures for families and youth in Illinois. Rebecca is also collaborating with a Child Welfare Working Group that includes a variety of stakeholders invested in child service provision and research.

What motivated you to apply for the Policy and Research Legislative Fellows Program?
I have already learned through my research projects that without clear implications for policy change, and knowledgeable people to advocate for and implement them, improvements in a given field can be nearly impossible. So through this fellowship, I wanted to further understand how to practically translate my research into policy and gain greater exposure to the legislative process, particularly at the state and local level, come to a fuller understanding of the positions and priorities of various stakeholders, and hone my skills in legal research and writing.

Tell us briefly about your research project.
I am working with Representative Carol Ammons and a broader workgroup of state legislators and professionals on better understanding systemic issues within the child welfare system in Illinois and drawing upon other states, research, and federal guidance to propose changes. Main goals include reducing the number of children in foster care and providing more preventative support to biological families, while continuing to protect children from abuse and neglect. I play a behind-the-scenes role in synthesizing relevant information, including research papers, reports, conversations with constituents, interviews with seasoned professionals and researchers, and state and federal legislation to highlight discrepancies and suggest realistic solutions for possible legislation.

What have you learned during your time working in the Legislative Office?
I’ve learned that it’s impossible for any one legislator to be an expert on all topics that they’re required to vote on. So as researchers, it’s very valuable to make findings accessible, concise, and relevant as they can really impact policy decisions. And as constituents, it’s very important to make our opinions and rationales known to our representatives – they are definitely listening!

What have you enjoyed the most about your time in the Legislative Office?
Conducting the research required for a legislative office is required to move at a much faster pace and on a different timeline than we are often granted in academia. For example, in this role, I’m not afforded three months to write a systematic review on a specific topic but instead may need to synthesize as much as possible before a meeting within a week. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of moving quickly, but thoroughly, through research and utilizing the skills I’ve learned in my doctoral program in such a practical and immediate way.

What advice do you have for other graduate students interested in applying for the Policy and Research Legislative Fellows Program?
Be open to working across party lines, understanding a variety of perspectives, and learning all the complexities that go into making informed decisions on legislation for our representatives. Also, be open to diving into projects that aren’t perfectly aligned with your line of research. Even if you’re not a content expert, you’ll be able to draw upon your research, writing, and critical thinking skills to find the experts in the field and to provide helpful information that legislators may not otherwise have time to explore as thoroughly.

Dalton Stewart

Dalton Stewart is a graduate student in Civil and Environmental Engineering placed with Senator Scott Bennett. Dalton’s project tackles the current spike in electricity bills in Illinois and researchers whether this price increase is caused by recent enactment of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Moreover, the overarching goal of this project is to determine the best legislative approach to helping constituents with elevated electricity bills. To accomplish so, Dalton is exploring the scope of legislative authority, related existing programs in Illinois (e.g., the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program), and initiatives undertaken by other states (if applicable).

What motivated you to apply for the Policy and Research Legislative Fellows Program?
My training as an environmental engineer has led me to realize that a lot of our work is motivated by public policy – the drinking water treatment facilities we design are meant to protect public health and are subject to legal requirements for water quality, for example – so I had already started developing an interest in working with policy. I’ve been on the lookout for fellowships and other opportunities to get involved, and the Policy and Research Legislative Fellows Program was one of the only ones I found meant specifically for graduate students. It seemed like a really great opportunity to jump into the policy world and learn about the state-level legislative process.

Tell us briefly about your research project.
My project focuses on the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) and electricity prices in Illinois. Over the summer, I familiarized myself with the provisions of the Act and factors affecting electricity prices. I’ve determined that the primary causes behind elevated electricity prices (as of summer 2022) seem to be the closure of coal power plants (and a lack of renewable energy facilities to replace them) and elevated natural gas prices, both of which are unrelated to CEJA’s enactment. During the fall semester, I’ve started exploring the best legislative options to help constituents with their electricity bills and to lower electricity prices.

What have you learned during your time working in the Legislative Office?
I have been impressed by how quickly the Senator’s office will act on calls from constituents. Often within the same hour as receiving a call from a constituent, the issue is on the Senator’s agenda, the Chief of Staff has reached out to the relevant government agencies that might be able to help, and the office overall is developing a plan to address the issue. It’s great to be around people who really want to help their community.

What have you enjoyed the most about your time in the Legislative Office?
It’s fun to have a behind-the-scenes look at the legislative process. Of course, the public can, should, and does influence the process, and they experience the outcomes via the news and new laws, but they don’t get to listen in on all of the conversations, negotiations, and research that goes into legislating. I’ve also enjoyed working with the other interns in the office, and seeing how our different education and experiences can be used to improve the legislative process.

What advice do you have for other graduate students interested in applying for the Policy and Research Legislative Fellows Program?
I would recommend that potential participants keep in mind the broad scope of benefits to participating in the program. It goes beyond learning about a specific policy issue and making connections with a legislator. In particular, be open-minded about potential research projects. My Ph.D. research focuses on biofuels, but my work with the Senator’s office considers renewable energy more broadly. I knew I wanted to work on an environmental-related project, but being able to research a topic outside of my Ph.D. focus area has been refreshing, while still expanding my knowledge and allowing me to practice research skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to practice talking and writing about policy, and may have the opportunity to interact with various stakeholders, constituents, or government workers. This fellowship is a great opportunity to take a break from your thesis or dissertation research sometimes, while developing expertise in another area for a beneficial cause.