Closing Date: 18th November, 2026
Description:
Position Overview:The Office of General Counsel is seeking to hire a Deputy General Counsel located in Chicago, Illinois. The incumbent will provide legal advice and counsel to the Division of Family and Community Services (FCS). Performs highly responsible administrative and technical work while serving as chief technical and legal advisor to the Directors. Provides comprehensive advice and consultation on the legality of all divisional activities, including policy matters, rules, regulations, procedures, administration, operation and litigation. Recommends changes in legislation to promote the programs of the Divisions.
Essential Functions:
- Serves as Deputy General Counsel of the Department of Human Services assigned to programs by providing legal advice and counsel to the Division of Family and Community Services (FCS).
- Directs the conduct of complex studies of those agency operations affected by changing policy/legal requirements.
- Serves as full-line supervisor.
- Recommends changes in legislation to promote the programs of the Division.
- Implements legislation, procedures, rules, regulations, and court orders.
- Directs representation of the Agency by the Attorney General's Office and other attorneys in cases filed against the Department and in cases filed by the Department, in both Federal and State courts, as it relates to Public Assistance matters.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Requires graduation from a recognized school of law.
- Requires a valid license to practice law in Illinois.
- Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Four (4) years of professional legal experience responding to and advising on legal matters.
- Four (4) years of professional legal experience in public assistance, as well as in responding to subpoenas seeking documents that may be protected under either State and/or Federal Law.
- Four (4) years of professional legal experience in State and Federal litigation.
- Four (4) years of professional experience working in a law firm environment.
- Four (4) years of professional supervisory experience assigning work, providing guidance to subordinates, training staff, approving time off and preparing and signing performance evaluations.
- Four (4) years of professional experience reviewing proposed legislation, providing comments, communicating in oral and written form and working within deadlines.
Conditions of Employment:
- 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 a Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.