Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office Celebrates Internship Program Impact
Kankakee, IL — The Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office is proud to highlight the success and impact of its volunteer internship program, which recently eclipsed 100 interns! Since December 1, 2016, the Office has welcomed and mentored 119 interns, building a program that continues to shape the next generation of professionals across a wide range of fields.
The internship program, coordinated by Senior Office Paralegal Jodi Trudeau, reflects a strong commitment to fostering opportunity for all young adults. Of the 119 interns, 35.5% identified as African-American, 48.4% Caucasian, 14.3% Hispanic, and 1.7% from other backgrounds. Additionally, 66.4% of participants were female and 33.6% male, demonstrating strong engagement among emerging women leaders.
Over the years, interns have come from a variety of educational institutions, including 50 students from Olivet Nazarene University, 21 from KCC and other regional community colleges, and 12 from local high schools. The program has also attracted students from universities and law schools across the country, including Penn State, Ball State University, University of Denver, Northwestern University, North Dakota State University, and Williams College, among others.
Participants have gained hands-on experience across multiple areas of the Office, including the Community Division, Traffic Division, Criminal Prosecutions Bureau, Civil Division, Juvenile Division, and the Victim & Witness Services Division. Through these assignments, interns have supported a wide range of responsibilities and played an important role in the day-to-day work of this office, contributing research, assisting with case preparation, supporting outreach efforts, and helping us better serve the community, providing them with a well-rounded understanding of public service and the legal process.
“Our internship program has always been about more than just gaining experience - it’s about mentorship, meaningful engagement, and creating real opportunities to serve,” said State’s Attorney Jim Rowe. “Their energy and perspectives have strengthened our ability to connect with the public and deliver results. Just as importantly, the impact extends beyond their time here. We’re proud to see so many of our former interns carry that experience forward into careers in law, public safety, social services, ministry, non-profit leadership, agriculture/agribusiness, animal welfare and other fields where they continue to make a difference. The program is not only shaping future professionals - it’s helping build a stronger, more engaged community.”
As the program continues to grow, the office remains committed to fostering talent, supporting education, and providing real-world opportunities that prepare students for successful futures. To apply for an internship in the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office visit: www.k3sao.com/interns