Dear Pre-Law Club Members,
Happy Wednesday! We hope everyone is having a great week!
Each week, we’ll share valuable opportunities and resources. These will include current events, volunteer organizations, scholarships, internships, conferences, community service, and on/off-campus events—that support your professional growth as you prepare for law school and beyond.
External Opportunities
Summer 2026 Chicago Commitment Intern
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation offers a paid summer internship for students interested in public policy, social sciences, nonprofit management, and related fields. Interns will support the Chicago Commitment team in advancing racial equity and building a more inclusive Chicago through research, data analysis, and community engagement. The 10-week hybrid program (June 9 – August 12, 2026) provides hands-on experience with nonprofit initiatives, professional development, and mentorship within one of the nation’s leading philanthropic institutions. Apply HERE
Summer 2026 Intern
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago offers a paid summer internship for students majoring in Criminal Justice, International Affairs, Liberal Arts, and other non-business fields. Interns will gain hands-on experience working on projects that support the Federal Reserve’s mission of promoting economic stability and serving the public good. Participants will engage in data analysis, research, and professional development while collaborating with experts across departments. The 10–12 week program, beginning in June 2026, provides mentorship, networking, and insight into one of the nation’s most influential financial institutions. Apply HERE.
Make sure to look at opportunities as soon as possible as they will not be open for very long. Feel free to reach out to Manal Ghori, our Career Coordinator, regarding questions and more insights on these opportunities.
Current Affairs Corner
Senate Passes Measure to End Government Shutdown
The Senate approved a bipartisan spending package 60–40 to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, with eight Democrats joining Republicans to advance the bill. The legislation funds the government through Jan. 30 and provides full-year funding for the Agriculture Department, military construction, and the legislative branch, while reversing federal layoffs enacted during the shutdown. GOP leaders also pledged a mid-December vote on extending enhanced ACA subsidies. The measure now heads to the GOP-controlled House; they are expected to approve it by Wednesday before reaching President Trump, who said he supports the deal. The breakthrough followed weeks of stalemate, with Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson hailing the agreement as the end of a “long national nightmare.”
Using Your Credit Card at Checkout Is About to Get More Complicated
A landmark settlement between Visa, Mastercard, and U.S. merchants could reshape how consumers pay. This is paving the way for tiered pricing and card-specific surcharges at checkout. The agreement which stemmed from a two-decade antitrust battle over interchange fees would let merchants selectively accept certain card types within each network and charge varying fees depending on the card’s category (e.g., 2.5% for basic cards vs. 3% for premium rewards cards). While debit cards remain unaffected, banks will need to add clear markers to identify card tiers, a process that could take years. The deal also mandates a modest 0.1-point cut in interchange fees over five years, but analysts say this won’t threaten existing rewards programs. Instead, it could spur more visible fees for shoppers and tougher competition among banks to retain high-spending customers, as merchants gain new leverage to steer consumers toward cheaper payment options.
As always, if you have any questions please feel free to reach out!
Thank you,
Pre-Law Team
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