Special Assistant to General Counsel

100KCrossing; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 124,200 - 139,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension program

Health, life, dental insurance

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking a Special Assistant to the General Counsel. This role requires a licensed Illinois attorney with strong research, writing, and advisory capabilities to support major federal litigation and child welfare matters.

Ideal candidates will have leadership and communication skills, the ability to travel, and a commitment to serving Illinois families. The position comes with a robust benefits package and pension opportunities.

Qualifications

• Requires graduation from an accredited law school and possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois.
• Requires three years of administrative experience in the practice of law.

Responsibilities

• Serves as Special Assistant to the General Counsel.
• Serves as Special Assistant Attorney General, providing legal research, analysis, advice, and consultation on major federal litigation involving the Department.
• Represents the Department in the circuit court of Cook County in mental health court petitions involving youth in care.
• Devises and identifies legal strategies and advises on associated risks.
• Serves as the agency liaison to the Child Welfare Litigation Bureau, functioning as the point person for questions, issues, discovery meetings, or other matters.

Skills

Legal research

Legal analysis

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor

Tools

Litigation databases

Job description

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL

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 **** or **** 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 Details

Job Requisition ID: 57541 Opening Date: 07/28/2026 Closing Date: 08/25/2026

Agency: Department of Children and Family Services Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015 Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License Bilingual Option: None Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $10,350 - $11,600/month Job Type: Salaried Category: Full Time County: Cook Number of Vacancies: 1 Bargaining Unit Code: None Merit Comp Code: Gubernatorial (Management Bill) Exclusion from RC010 Collective Bargaining Coverage

Position Overview

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. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Special Assistant to the General Counsel. It offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong leadership and communication capabilities. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Special Assistant to the General Counsel
• Serves as Special Assistant Attorney General, providing legal research, analysis, advice, and consultation on major federal litigation involving the Department
• Represents the Department in the circuit court of Cook County in mental health court petitions involving youth in care
• Devises and identifies legal strategies and advises on associated risks
• Serves as the agency liaison to the Child Welfare Litigation Bureau, functioning as the point person for questions, issues, discovery meetings, or other matters
• Provides input and assistance to the General Counsel in general law matters
• Provides input into various committees involving outside groups, as designated by the General Counsel
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires graduation from an accredited law school and possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
• Requires three years of administrative experience in the practice of law

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years of professional experience as an attorney in civil litigation, class action litigation, or in government agencies
• 1 year of experience as an attorney in cases involving child welfare or juvenile law.
• 3 years of professional experience as an attorney conducting legal analysis.
• 3 years of substantive legal writing experience as an attorney in the areas of motions, pleadings, briefs, and memoranda.
• 3 years of professional experience working in a liaison capacity with various internal and external entities.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to pass a background check.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
• 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 Office of Legal Services works in a supportive capacity to ensure Departmental adherence to all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and court orders. As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• 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)
• Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12‑hour & part‑time 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
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)