State of Illinois

LEGAL COUNSEL

State of Illinois$114K — $122K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Jurisdiction to practice law in Illinois required.
  • Bachelor's degree and law degree needed.
  • Minimum of three years of legal practice experience necessary.
  • Experienced in government or public sector law preferred.
  • Familiarity with grant agreements and legal documentation beneficial.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as Legal Counsel for the Department, providing legal advice on various matters.
  • Offer legal interpretations to leadership regarding state and federal laws.
  • Conduct research related to grant monitoring and compliance.
  • Assist in drafting and interpreting administrative rules and FOIA responses.
  • Prepare and review various legal documents including contracts and grants.
  • Engage with governmental officials on legal agreements and regulations.
  • Attend to other assigned duties related to legal counsel.

Benefits

  • Full-time salaried position with substantial professional responsibilities.
  • Opportunity to engage in impactful work affecting state programs.
  • Exposure to a diverse range of legal issues in a public sector context.
  • Potential for overtime which may enhance professional experience.
Full Job Description
Job Requisition ID: 57837
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 08/27/2026
Agency:Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $9,500 - $10,184 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Gubernatorial (Management Bill) Exclusion from Collective Bargaining Coverage

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

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic is seeking an experienced attorney who will provide guidance, direction, and assistance on a wide variety of legal matters. This attorney will be responsible for overseeing several key bureaus and providing guidance to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws. The ideal candidate will be self-starter and able to prioritize and manage multiple tight deadlines in a frequently high-paced environment. We invite qualified and motivated applicants to apply.

Essential Functions

  • Under general direction, serves as Legal Counsel for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), providing legal advice, guidance and representation to Agency leadership and staff on a variety of legal matters.
  • Provides legal interpretations and guidance, often of a confidential and sensitive nature, to Agency leadership, managers, and staff, regarding federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures affecting Agency programs and operations.
  • Conducts legal and factual research pertaining to grant monitoring outcomes, grant recovery efforts and litigation to support the Agency's actions to enforce provisions of grant agreements and other legal requirements.
  • Assist the Director and other senior staff in the Department in drafting and interpreting administrative rules as well as complying with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
  • Drafts, reviews and prepares contracts, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, grants, procurement documents, and other legal instruments. on issues affecting the Agency.
  • Confers with attorneys, grants recipients, governmental officials, and agencies of the state and federal governments regarding statues, regulations, and written agreements relating to the Agency's programs.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably with the scope of the duties enumerated above.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, and graduation from a recognized law school.
  • Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois.
  • Requires three (3) years of professional experience in the practice of law.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Prefers three (3) years of professional experience in government, public sector, regulatory, administrative, contract, grants, or commercial law.
  • Prefers three (3) years of experience interpreting complex grant agreements, contract, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, procurement documents and/or other legal documentation.
  • Prefers three (3) years of experience preparing legal memoranda, opinion letters, summaries, recommendations, reports, and other written legal analyses for executive-level decision-makers.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience using legal research platforms, electronic records management systems, contract management systems, and/or document review tools.
  • Prefers advanced level proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, or similar software.
  • Prefers working knowledge of Illinois administrative law, rulemaking procedures, and state government operations.


Conditions of Employment

  • Required 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.
  • 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 required 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.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 555 W Monroe St, Chicago, Illinois, 60661
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact:[email protected] (FOR INQUIRIES ONLY - INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE)

Posting Group: Leadership & Management

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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