​The Illinois State Society was proud to offer annual scholarships to students interning for Members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in Washington, DC. Scholarship applications were available during the Summer and were applied for directly through the Congressional Office. Applications were reviewed by the ILSS and scholarship recipients were celebrated with their Member of Congress at our Annual Congressional Reception.

Since 2002, over 500 students have received scholarships. 

The Illinois State Society Intern Scholarship Program was initiated in 2002 by past Society Presidents Jeanne G. Jacob and P. Scott Shearer. Formally approved by the ILSS Board, the scholarship program's goal is to assist students from Illinois in off-setting the cost of a summer internship in the offices of the Illinois Delegation on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The ILSS believes that this opportunity of interning in our nation's Capitol and serving the constituents of our state should not just be available to economically advantaged persons.

ILSS Intern Scholarships were awarded based on academic record, recommendations from the Members of Congress or senior Congressional staff, personal statements, extracurricular activities, and financial need.

In recent years, the ILSS has granted approximately $20,000 per year in scholarships. Three awards were granted in the initial program year (2002); five in 2003; 15 in 2004; 16 each year in 2005, 2006, and 2007; 20 in 2008; 27 in 2009; 32 in 2010; 30 in 2011; 36 in 2012; 38 in 2013; and 30 in 2014. Chair of the Intern Scholarship Committee was past ILSS President and present ILSS Secretary, Mrs. Nancy Krakover. The ILSS Scholarship Review Committee independently reviewed all scholarship applications under the direction of Mrs. Krakover. 

The ILSS Scholarship Program was funded through generous private sponsorships and donations throughout the year and at our signature, Annual ILSS Taste of Illinois Event. In previous years, funding for the program was raised through the Illinois Presidential Inaugural Galas every four years. 

The ILSS has proudly raised funding for a variety of great works. The first Illinois State Society Inaugural Reception took place in 1969. The event, honoring the late Sen. Everett M. Dirksen, was held at the Gramarcy Inn before an overflowing crowd. Mrs. Dirksen was later honored, and the proceeds given to the Dirksen Library in Pekin, Illinois. The 1973 and 1977 Inaugural Receptions were held at the Capitol Hilton, then known as the Statler Hotel, and subsequent receptions were held at the International Club in 1981 (under the Presidency of Nancy Krakover) and the National Press Club in 1985 (under Presidency of Mary Fran Coffey).