Legislative Analyst Attorney

Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Paid time off

Job summary

Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago seeks a Legislative Analyst Attorney to research, draft, review, and analyze the impact of proposed legislation on CCSAO operations. You will coordinate the Legislative Advisory Council (LAC), disseminate bills for review, track feedback, and support legislative hearings in Springfield.

The attorney will prepare presentations and training for internal and external stakeholders, draft statutory language, and collaborate with the Director of Policy

Qualifications

• J.D. licensed to practice in Illinois.
• 7–10 years of combined experience in criminal and civil law.
• Significant litigation experience, preferably in both criminal and civil law.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical abilities.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze the legal and operational impact of proposed legislation.
• Coordinate the Legislative Advisory Council (LAC) and track feedback.
• Appear at hearings in Springfield and engage with legislators and lobbyists.
• Prepare presentations and trainings for internal and external stakeholders.
• Draft statutory language and assist in policy drafting.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Statutory interpretation

Communication

Travel to Springfield

Organizational skills

Stakeholder collaboration

Criminal law

Civil law

Education

J.D.

Job description

Job Title: Legislative Analyst Attorney
Reports to: Director of Legislative Affairs
Job Location: 69 W. Washington
Classification: Non-Union
Salary Range: $130,000-174,178
Bureau: Policy and External Affairs
Application deadline: October 13, 2026

Primary Function

The attorney selected for this role will report to the Director of Legislative Affairs and be primarily responsible for researching, drafting, reviewing, editing, and otherwise analyzing the legal and operational impact of proposed legislation that is either advanced by the CCSAO or would impact CCSAO operations. Additionally, the attorney selected will be responsible for Legislative Advisory Council (LAC) coordination, dissemination of proposed legislation for LAC review, tracking of feedback, and any additional follow up as legislation is amended or modified. The selected candidate will assist with the collaboration and consultation with Bureau Chiefs and Supervisory staff during legislative review and will provide ongoing legal and research support directly to the legislative team. The attorney selected will also work with Bureau Chiefs and CCSAO staff to draft new or amended statutory language advanced by the CCSAO to address legislative needs and may be required to appear at hearings in Springfield and participate in legislative meetings and collaborations with legislators, lobbyists, and external stakeholders. The attorney selected for this position will also be responsible for the development and coordination of presentations, materials and training for internal and external stakeholders after the passage of legislation that impacts CCSAO operations. The selected attorney will also be responsible for collaborating with the Director of Policy to both analyze and draft policy to comport with legislative changes.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Support the Director and Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs with researching, reviewing, editing, and otherwise assessing legal and operation impact on proposed legislation.
• In consultation with the Director and Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs, manage all aspects of the LAC, including coordination and dissemination of proposed legislation for review.
• Track feedback and any additional follow-up as legislation is amended or modified.
• Collaborate and consult with Bureau Chiefs and supervisory staff in the coordination of legislative review.
• As requested by the Director of Legislative Affairs or senior leadership, appear at hearings in Springfield and participate in legislative meetings and collaborations with legislators, lobbyists, and external stakeholders.
• Assist in the development and coordination of presentation materials and trainings for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Director of Policy for legislative operational implementation and drafting of policy tied to legislative initiatives.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Must possess excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Familiarity with statutory interpretation.
• Possess strong communication skills, initiative and professionalism.
• Ability to work closely with internal leadership and external stakeholders.
• Ability to travel to Springfield to attend legislative hearings when required.
• Possess strong organizational skills, be detail-oriented, collaborative, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Possess strong substantive and procedural knowledge of criminal and civil law.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited institution. Must be licensed to practice in the State of Illinois.
• A minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of combined experience in the areas of both criminal and civil law.
• Significant litigation experience, preferably in both criminal and civil law.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to stand or walk frequently, often for extended periods. You may need to lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing up to 20 pounds regularly, and occasionally heavier items. The job may also involve a significant amount of walking or standing relative to sedentary roles.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is an equal opportunity employer, which seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The CCSAO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request, the CCSAO will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals due to a disability or pregnancy.

The EEOP report can be found on our website at www.cookcountystatesattorney.org.

Benefits

At Cook County, we believe in investing in you, our valued employee. We understand that your wellbeing directly impacts the quality of service we provide to our community. That's why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial stability, and work-life balance. Here's a snapshot of what we offer:

Choose from a variety of medical, dental, and vision plans to best suit your lifestyle and needs. We provide a robust Paid Time Off (PTO) program, including vacation, personal, and sick leave, as well as 13 paid holidays. As a public service employer, our employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Our Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and referral services to help you navigate life's challenges. And of course, a pension plan through Cook County.

Follow this link to the Cook County Benefits and this link to Cook County Pension Fund if you want to learn more about our amazing benefit coverage. The CCSAO does not provide relocation assistance.