Communications Director

Essential Functions

• Provides direct specialized legal services for the full range of Commission issues, with primary emphasis on directing agency communications with law firms, law schools, and legal organizations that provide pro bono, volunteer, and contractual work for the Commission.
• Directs the recruitment, contractual engagement, and retention of counsel who advise and represent claimants waiving their constitutional rights per 775 ILCS 40/40(b) and provides managerial oversight of claimant attorneys with whom the State contracts.
• Responsible for consulting with General Counsel and Executive Director to manage the agency interactions with media/press, members of the public, elected officials, and individuals including those attempting to file claims.
• Preforms other duties as required or assigned to keep case flow moving efficiently.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years college.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) years of directing communications and conducting community outreach.
• Prefers one (1) year of criminal law experience, particularly post-conviction proceedings.
• Prefers one (1) year of statutory and regulatory compliance experience.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience working with Illinois Code of Criminal Procedure, Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, Illinois Supreme Court Rules, and/or Illinois Rules of Evidence.
• Prefers one (1 ) year of experience with Administrative Law, Illinois Freedom of Information Act, and Illinois Open Meetings Act.
• Prefers one (1) year of investigative experience, including but not limited to as an attorney, a reporter, a factchecker, an auditor, or a private investigator.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.

• 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 travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

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 Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission is a state agency that was created by the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission Act in 2009. The Act provides for an eight-member commission, chaired by a former judge. The Commission began receiving claims in April 2011, and continued accepting them until the statutory deadline of August 10, 2014. In 2016, the legislature re-opened the filing period through August 10, 2019. The Commission is authorized by statute to gather evidence about a claim of torture occurring in Cook County and then determine whether there is sufficient credible evidence of torture to merit judicial review. To evaluate a claim, the Commission's staff can serve subpoenas to compel the testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence, administer oaths, and use any measure provided for in Illinois civil and criminal codes of procedure. If a matter is referred to court, the Circuit Court will review the case pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Post-Conviction Hearing Act and the TIRC Act. Upon review, the Circuit Court may order an evidentiary hearing in order to determine whether relief (e.g., suppression of a claimant’s statement or a new trial) is warranted.