ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL

Illinoiscomptroller; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 8,600 - 11,000; Full time

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Human Services is seeking a dynamic, licensed attorney to serve as Assistant General Counsel for Labor & Employment. You will advise leadership on labor and employment issues, including wage and hour, accommodations, and leaves of absence, and interpret collective bargaining agreements.

As part of the Office of Labor Relations and Office of Human Resources, you will liaise with the Attorney General on litigation matters and represent DHS before administrative

Qualifications

• Requires a law degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Requires three years of progressively responsible professional experience as a licensed attorney.
• Requires licensure to practice law in Illinois.
• Three years of professional experience litigating or advising on labor and employment matters.
• Three years advising on reasonable accommodations and/or leaves of absence.
• Three years litigating before courts or administrative tribunals.
• Three years advising management in governmental, social services, healthcare, or educational organizations.
• Three years handling subpoenas, search warrants, or information requests from government agencies.
• Travel and overtime may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and counsel to the Department of Human Services on labor and employment matters.
• Represents DHS before the Civil Service Commission in rules violation proceedings.
• Conducts complex legal research regarding labor and employment law for DHS.
• Analyzes, drafts, and reviews proposed legislation, rules, and policies for HR and Labor Relations.
• Reviews subpoenas, search warrants, and information requests.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of duties.

Skills

Legal research

Labor & Employment

Education

ABA-accredited law degree

Job description

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We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage and salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Job Requisition ID: 58285
Opening Date:09/29/2026
Closing Date:10/20/2026
Agency:Department of Human Services
Class Title:PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option:Special License - Illinois Law License
Bilingual Option:None
Salary:Anticipated Salary: $8,570 - $10,557 per month ($102,840 - $126,684 per year)
Job Type:Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies:1
Bargaining Unit Code:None
Merit Comp Code:Confidential (Management Bill) Exclusion from RC010 Collective Bargaining Coverage
Work Hours: Mon - Fri, 8:30am - 5:00pm; 1-hour unpaid lunch
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: It is required that a person reports to the headquarters on this job position as necessary (could be weekly, monthly, or other schedule) dependent on operational need
Headquarter Location: 69 W Washington St, Chicago, Illinois, 60602

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

When applicable, titles that require specific coursework, professional license or certification will include a notation requesting the appropriate document(s) be uploaded in the Additional Documents section of your application. Failure to upload requested transcripts, license and/or proof of certification when specified may result in ineligibility. Please note that the Department of Human Services must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) regardless of vacancy title before any offer can be extended.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Office of General Counsel is seeking to hire a dynamic, collaborative, detail-oriented licensed attorney in Illinois to serve as an Assistant General Counsel for Labor & Employment. This position will report to the Deputy General Counsel for Labor & Employment. Subject to management approval, the Assistant General Counsel will independently advise leadership in the Office of Labor Relations and Office of Human Resources, as well as managers agency-wide, on the full range of labor and employment issues facing the Department of Human Services. The Assistant General Counsel will provide guidance on issues such as employee discipline, interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, accommodations, leaves of absence, wage and hour laws, compensation, benefits, immigration, litigation, and risk management. The Assistant General Counsel will serve as a liaison with the Office of the Attorney General on litigation matters and will represent the Department of Human Services before administrative tribunals within the State of Illinois on labor and employment matters.

Essential Functions

• As an Assistant General Counsel, provides legal advice and counsel to the Department of Human Services on all labor and employment matters.
• Represents the Department of Human Services before the Civil Service Commission in rules violation proceedings.
• Conducts complex legal research regarding legal issues in labor and employment law which affect the Department of Human Services as assigned by the Deputy General Counsel for Labor & Employment, Chief Deputy General Counsels, and/or General Counsel.
• Analyzes, drafts, and reviews proposed legislation, rules, and policies for the Office of Human Resources and Office of Labor Relations.
• Reviews subpoenas, search warrants, and other requests for information received by the Office of Human Resources or Office of Labor Relations.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a law degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the practice of law as a licensed attorney.
• Requires the possession of a license to practice law in Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional experience litigating or advising clients on labor and employment matters.
• Three (3) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney advising clients on legal matters related to reasonable accommodations and/or leaves of absence.
• Three (3) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney litigating matters before courts or administrative tribunals.
• Three (3) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney providing legal advice to management in a governmental, social services, healthcare, or educational organization.
• Three (3) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney responding to subpoenas, search warrants, or requests for information from government agencies.
• Three (3) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney working on immigration matters for employers.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties.
• Requires the ability to work overtime.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annually Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

*All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois. Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives. Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being for everyone in Illinois. Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.

As a State of Illinois employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Benefit time modified for part-time, 12-hour, & non-standard work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill®Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions

This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.