Senior Legal Counsel: FOIA & Privacy Officer

State of Illinois; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 102,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid parental leave

Pension plan

Deferred compensation

Sick days (12) per year

Vacation days (10-25) depending on yrs

Personal days (3) pro-rated

State holidays (13-14)

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) seeks an experienced FOIA and Privacy Legal Counsel to provide expert guidance on public records disclosure and privacy protections. You will lead evaluation of complex requests, advise leadership on exemptions, and implement balanced strategies to maintain transparency with strong privacy safeguards.

As IDEC’s designated FOIA and Privacy Officer, you will ensure compliance with federal and state laws, collaborate with senior staff, and support

Qualifications

• Requires graduation from an accredited law school.
• Requires Illinois license to practice law.
• Requires minimum three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law.

Responsibilities

• Lead the evaluation of complex records requests.
• Advise leadership and staff on disclosure obligations and exemptions.
• Implement strategies balancing transparency with rigorous privacy safeguards.
• Serve as FOIA Officer, Privacy Officer, and Open Meetings Act (OMA) Officer for IDEC.

Skills

FOIA knowledge

Privacy law

Legal counsel

Regulatory compliance

Drafting opinions

Education

Law degree (J.D.)

Job description

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) seeks an experienced FOIA and Privacy Legal Counsel to provide expert guidance on public records disclosure and privacy protections. You will lead evaluation of complex requests, advise leadership on exemptions, and implement balanced strategies to maintain transparency with strong privacy safeguards.

As IDEC’s designated FOIA and Privacy Officer, you will ensure compliance with federal and state laws, collaborate with senior staff, and support