State of Illinois

Deputy General Counsel

State of Illinois$130K — $140K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and valid Illinois law license required.
  • Minimum of four years of administrative experience in a public or business organization needed.
  • Two years of professional legal practice experience required.
  • Experience with judicial and quasi-judicial procedures and rules of evidence is essential.
  • Expertise in interpreting and applying state and federal administrative laws required.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as primary legal advisor to the Chief Legal Counsel.
  • Manage and coordinate agency programs and operations effectively.
  • Direct all legal activities impacting the agency as Deputy General Counsel.
  • Represent the agency at sensitive meetings as an official spokesperson.
  • Plan and implement policies, standards, and procedures for the agency.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate leases and agreements for the agency.
  • Conduct investigations into employee misconduct and manage background checks.

Benefits

  • Standard Monday-Friday work schedule.
  • Comprehensive health, life, vision, and dental insurance.
  • Paid parental leave policy.
  • Eligible for a pension plan and deferred compensation options.
  • Accrue 12 paid sick days and 10-25 paid vacation days based on service tenure.
  • Receive 3 paid personal days, pro-rated based on start date.
  • Enjoy 13-14 paid state holidays annually.
Full Job Description
Job Requisition ID: 56119
Opening Date: 05/14/2026
Closing Date: 05/26/2026
Agency:Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $130,000 to $140,000 per year
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code

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.

Position Overview:

This position serves as the Deputy General Counsel for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM), a world class institution that welcomes more than 250,000visitors every year and that houses one of the world's best collections of Lincoln-related documents, artifacts and audiovisual materials The incumbent will have a thorough understanding and experience in all aspects of legal research and analysis. The ideal candidate will be detailed oriented and possess a good working knowledge of personnel and contractual law, as well as experience with FOIA, ADA, Illinois Ethics law, and procurement. We invite qualified applicants to apply for this position and help ALPLM continue to chronicle the life of one of our nation's greatest Presidents.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum offers a robust benefit package including:
  • Monday-Friday schedule
  • 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

  • Serves as the principal legal advisor to the Chief Legal Counsel for the ALPLM.
  • Managers, develops, plans, directs, coordinates and reviews the organization and administration of new and existing programs, operations and functions.
  • As Deputy General Counsel for the Agency, responsible for all legal activities affecting the Agency.
  • Serves as an official spokesperson for the agency representing the Executive Director and/or the Chief Legal Counsel at various internal and external meetings, often of a sensitive and confidential nature, possessing significant independent authority.
  • Plans, evaluates, develops and validates programs, standards. policies, methods, techniques and procedures and assists in implementation.
  • Drafts, reviews, and negotiates agency leases with various entities, i.e. concession leases, interagency agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, farm leases, etc.
  • Supports the Chief Legal Counsel in their role as the Agency Ethics Officer; administers the policy and procedures applicable to the Employees' Ethics Acts to all agency employees.
  • Designs, conducts, and coordinates investigations into allegations of employee misconduct, and necessary background checks both internally and externally subject to appropriate laws and regulations.
  • 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 school of law and possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois.
  • Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
  • Requires two (2) years of professional experience in the practice of law.
  • Requires two (2) years of experience applying judicial and quasi-judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
  • Requires two (2) years of experience interpreting and applying common law and the provisions of state and federal laws relating to administrative and regulatory functions.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Prefers a minimum of three (3) years of experience providing legal counsel to a public-sector agency or government entity, including interpreting, drafting, and implementing administrative rules, policies, and procedures.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience litigating matters and representing a government agency or similarly regulated organization in complex legal proceedings.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience conducting internal investigations into employee misconduct, labor relations, or ethics matters, applying relevant laws and regulations.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience collaborating with executive leadership as a trusted legal advisor on high-level, sensitive, and confidential matters.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience reviewing, negotiating, and managing complex leases, contracts, and intergovernmental agreements in a public or nonprofit environment.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience demonstrating Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to represent an agency as an official spokesperson in high-stakes or sensitive situations.


Conditions of Employment

  • Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
  • Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
  • 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.
  • Requires ability to use an agency-supplied mobile phone.


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

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 112 N 6th St, Springfield, Illinois, 62701
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: Patricia Young
Email
Phone #: 217-785-7940
Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your "junk mail", "spam", or "other" folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

About State of Illinois

The name "Illinois" comes from a Native American word meaning "tribe of superior men." Louis Joliet and Father Marquette were the first Europeans to arrive in Illinois in 1673. Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818 and was the 21st state to enter the Union. The state motto is "State Sovereignty, National Union." Illinois is the fifth most populous state in the country with almost 12.9 million people. Abraham Lincoln and three other U.S. Presidents have called Illinois home, including Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. The General Assembly adopted the state slogan, "Land of Lincoln" in 1955. Springfield is the state capital and home to more Abraham Lincoln sites than any other place in the United States, including the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Old State Capitol, Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, and Lincoln-Herndon Law Office.

State of Illinois Careers

Join the dedicated team at the State of Illinois and discover a wealth of job opportunities where professional growth and innovation are at the forefront of its mission. The State of Illinois is renowned for its commitment to excellence and diversity, offering careers that cater to a variety of skills and interests.

Work You’ll Do

At the State of Illinois, every position contributes to the betterment of its community and the nation. Whether it's through leadership roles or entry-level positions, the impact of your work will be felt across various sectors. The State provides a platform where skills are honed, and professional aspirations are nurtured.

Explore Diverse Job Opportunities

The State of Illinois offers a range of employment options from administrative roles to environmental conservation, healthcare, and more. Each career path is equipped with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for career advancement.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with the State of Illinois through its dynamic internship programs. These opportunities are designed for those who are looking to develop their professional skills in a real-world setting, providing a stepping stone to full-time employment.

Innovative Work Environment

Innovation is key in the operations at the State of Illinois. Employees are encouraged to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table, driving the State towards efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

Professional Growth and Development

The State of Illinois is committed to the professional development of its team. With access to diverse training programs, including leadership development and diversity training, employees are well-equipped to ascend in their careers.

Benefits and Culture

The employment experience at the State of Illinois is enhanced by its inclusive culture and comprehensive benefits package. The State values the well-being and satisfaction of its team, ensuring a supportive and positive work environment.

Networking and Career Advancement

Networking within the State of Illinois can significantly enhance career trajectories. Employees have numerous opportunities to connect with leaders and peers through various events and professional groups, fostering a community of collaboration and support.

Join the Team

The State of Illinois is continuously hiring new talent. Explore open positions that match your skills and interests. The hiring process at the State of Illinois is transparent and thorough, ensuring that the best candidates are selected for the right positions. Prepare your resume, ace the interview, and join a team that values hard work and dedication.

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