ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL

Position Overview

The Assistant General Counsel is critical to the work of the Illinois Human Rights Commission. This position provide first-level legal analysis, makes recommendations to the Commissioners, and serves as a point of public contact for the agency. The successful candidate regularly interprets and applies federal and state anti-discrimination laws in the areas of employment, housing, access to financial credit, public accommodations, and education. The Illinois Human Rights Commission is strongly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from under-represented group members, including, but not limited to people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, veterans, women and persons with disabilities.

Essential Functions

• Under the supervision of the General Counsel, provides legal advice and technical support for the quasi-judicial and educations functions of the Illinois Human Rights Commission.
• Assists in the development and review of proposed legislation affecting the Commission. 
• Assists with the outreach, education, and training activities of the Commission.
• Assists with the Commission’s fellowship for law students, including interviewing potential candidates; formulating the topics, activities, and projects for the fellowship; evaluating work product and providing constructive feedback.
• Serves as a Special Assistant Attorney General (SPAAG) and works with the Office of Attorney General to represent and defend the Commission in court.
• Ensures the Commission’s compliance with all statutory mandates, including, but not limited to, the Human Rights Act, Open Meetings Act, Freedom of Information Act, State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, and State Auditing Act.
• Serves as the General Counsel's designee and represents the Commission to the public, legislators, organizations, or other state agencies.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires graduation from a recognized law school.
• Requires the possession of a license to practice law in Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers working knowledge of the rules, practices, and procedures of the Illinois Human Rights Commission with broad and general knowledge of the functions and activities of the program divisions within the Commission.

• Prefers working knowledge of federal and state anti-discrimination laws in the areas of employment, education, housing, access to financial credit, and public accommodations.

• Prefers knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures and rules of evidence.

• Prefers knowledge of the common law and the provisions of federal and state laws relating to administrative and regulatory functions

About the Agency

The Illinois Human Rights Commission provides a neutral forum for resolving complaints of discrimination filed under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Our primary responsibility is to make impartial determinations of, whether there has been unlawful discrimination, as defined by the Act. We strive to provide professional, competent, and considerate service to everyone who seeks information from us or who has a case before the Commission.

Benefit Statement

As a State of Illinois employee, you are entitled to a robust benefits package that includes:

• Flexible work schedules in some program areas (flexible time and hybrid options)
• Health, life, vision and dental insurance
• 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pension Plan – vesting at 10 years for Tier II
• Full 20-year retirement awards free health insurance during retirement
• Deferred compensation and other pre-tax benefits programs
• Paid state holidays 13-14 days annually
• 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, and vacation rates modified for 12-hour work schedules. (As applicable.)
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
• For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx