Buckner Named 2024 University of Chicago Institute of Politics Fellow, Seminars to Discuss Illinois as an Emerging National Policy Leader

CHICAGO – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, was named a 2024 Fall Pritzker Fellow by the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, and will be giving a series of seminars titled “An Insider’s Look at the New Springfield: America’s Laboratory for Democracy” to cover Illinois’ status as an emerging national policy leader.

“Recent years have seen Illinois usher in an unprecedented slate of new policies legalizing cannabis, enacting minimum wage increases, banning assault weapons, eliminating cash bail and supporting reproductive freedom,” Buckner said. “I look forward to joining this impressive cohort of Fellows in connecting with the next generation of leaders coming out of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, many of whom will help cement Illinois’ status as an emerging as a leader in national policy.”

Other 2024 Fall Fellows include David Axelrod, CNN Senior Political Commentary and UChicago Institute of Politics Founding Director; Ken Buck, Former Republican Congressman from Colorado; Genesis Davila, Human Rights Lawyer; Chuck Todd, NBC Chief Political Analyst; and Katie Tobin, former White House National Security Advisor.

The nonpartisan Institute of Politics was founded at the University of Chicago in 2013 and is committed to fostering in students a passion for public service and active engagement in our democracy. Each quarter, the Pritzker Fellows Program welcomes a cohort of domestic and international practitioners – elected officials, journalists, activists, policymakers, diplomats – to campus for deep dives into the most pressing issues of the day.