Legal Counsel - Litigation (PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR)

State of Illinois; Springfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 8,600 - 10,000; Full time

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) seeks a Legal Counsel – Litigation to manage IDEC's litigation portfolio and provide legal guidance on complex matters. The attorney will work with the Deputy General Counsel, coordinate with the Attorney General’s Office, and handle court orders, statutes, and agency policies.

This is a public service role with a potential hybrid work arrangement. Minimum qualifications include a law degree, Illinois license to practice, and three years of

Qualifications

• Requires graduation from a recognized school of law.
• Requires a valid license to practice law in Illinois.
• Requires three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Legal Counsel - Litigation for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
• Collaborate with the Deputy General Counsel to prepare for hearings and litigation.
• Interpret court orders, statutes, and regulations for IDEC implementation.
• Develop responses to Inspector General recommendations and advise on policy matters.
• Perform duties as assigned within the scope of IDEC’s legal operations.

Education

Juris Doctor / Law degree

Job description

Legal Counsel - Litigation (PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR)

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 or 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:59122
Opening Date: 10/06/2026
Closing Date: 10/21/2026
Agency: Department of Early Childhood
Class Title:PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option:Special License - Illinois Law License
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $8,571 - $10,000 per month ($102,000 - $120,000 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:None
Merit Comp Code:Managerial Exclusion from RC010 Collective Bargaining Coverage
Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 2 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location: 4800 Wabash Ave, Springfield, Illinois 62711 or 115 S Lasalle St, Chicago, Illinois, 60603
Work County: Sangamon or Cook
Agency Contact: [e-mail]

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.

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 Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is seeking a Legal Counsel – Litigation to serve within the agency's Legal Division. This attorney will play a critical role in managing the agency’s litigation portfolio, representing IDEC in administrative, state, and federal proceedings, and providing legal guidance on complex and sensitive matters. The employee in this position will support the Deputy General Counsel in overseeing ethics-related issues, collaborate closely with the Attorney General’s Office, and offer practical counsel on court orders, statutes, and agency policies. This role also involves conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, responding to subpoenas and inquiries, and developing solutions to a wide range of legal questions affecting IDEC’s operations. If you are interested in contributing to the mission of a growing state agency dedicated to Early Childhood initiatives, we encourage you to apply for the Legal Counsel – Litigation position with IDEC!

Illinois Department of Early Childhood offers a robust benefit package including:

• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
• Paid Parental leave
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
• Employees earn (12) paid sick days annually
• (10-25) paid vacation days (based on years of service)
• Employees earn (3) paid personal days (pro-rated based on start date)
• (13-14) paid state holidays annually

Work hours and schedule will be mutually agreed upon by supervisor during the onboarding process.

Essential Functions

• Subject to management approval of the General Counsel, serves as the Legal Counsel - Litigation for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
• Confers and collaborates with the Deputy General Counsel in preparation of litigation for hearings.
• Provides interpretation of court orders, statutes and regulations for implementation by IDEC.
• Develops and provides response to the Office of Inspector General recommendations as assigned.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires graduation from a recognized school of law.
• Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois.
• Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers three (3) years of experience practicing litigation.
• Prefers three (3) years of experience drafting, filing, and defending petitions and motions in court.
• Prefers three (3) years of experience preparing for and conducting weekly motion hearings, mediating, and interpreting legal mandates and/or policies.
• Prefers three (3) years of experience negotiating settlements.
• Prefers licensure in either the United State District Court for the Northern or Central District of Illinois.
• Prefers advanced level of proficiency in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint, Adobe Acrobat, Lexis Nexus, Westlaw or other legal research platforms, Zoom, and WebEx.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to successfully pass an agency criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
• Requires the ability to successfully pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) background check.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to use and maintain state-issued equipment, such as a cell phone, laptop, and other necessary equipment as required.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• 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.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency:

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is the state’s first standalone agency dedicated exclusively to advancing equitable access to high-quality early childhood programs and services for young children, their families, and the professionals who support them. Established in 2024 and operational as of July 1, 2026, IDEC brings together early childhood programs and services previously administered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) into one unified agency.

IDEC works to make Illinois’ early childhood system simpler, fairer, and more accessible by improving access to services, strengthening program quality, supporting the early childhood workforce, and streamlining the experience for families, providers, and communities. Through collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence, IDEC is building a stronger early childhood system that helps every child thrive and every family succeed.

Revolving Door:

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.