General Counsel (SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR, OPT. 8L)
Chicago, IL, US, 60607
Job Requisition ID: 55645
BPIS: 09435
Opening Date: 04/27/2026
Closing Date: 05/26/2026
Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)
Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary $14,500/monthly; Full salary range $14,000 - $15,000/monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
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.
Why Work for Illinois?
Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.
No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.
Position Overview:
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is seeking to hire a General Counsel who will plan, direct, and evaluate all functions and activities of the HFS Office of General Counsel. The General Counsel will provide technical legal advice to the HFS Director, Deputy Directors, and other HFS staff, ensuring the legal integrity of all Agency systems and operations supporting the Illinois Medicaid Program as well as Illinois Child Support services.
As the HFS General Counsel, you will serve as a member of the Director’s senior leadership team and Executive Staff, helping to shape agency legal strategy and key policy decisions. You will also build and maintain effective working relationships with the Governor’s Office, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, and other federal, state, and local partners.
Ideal candidates will bring:
- Strategic thinking, excellent judgment, and the ability to collaborate as a member of the HFS senior leadership team
- A creative yet principled and ethical approach to problem solving
- The ability to quickly master complex legal and policy issues thoroughly
- Experience managing and developing staff
- Demonstrated interest or experience in healthcare and Medicaid policy and law (preferred but not required)
Candidates must possess a license to practice law in the State of Illinois.
HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.
Employees receive a robust benefit package including:
- Monday-Friday work schedule
- Flexible work schedules are available in many program areas. (Remote work may be an option for certain positions.)
- Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
- Pension Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
- Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
- New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
- Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
- (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)
If you are seeking a new opportunity, and this position appeals to you, please apply today!
At the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), we value staff as our greatest asset. We work in a spirit of teamwork to help millions of Illinoisans access high quality healthcare and fulfill child support obligations to advance their physical, mental, and financial well-being. We provide healthcare coverage for children and adults through Medicaid and other medical programs, and we help ensure that children receive financial resources from both their parents through Child Support Services. The HFS Office of the Inspector General investigates, audits and reviews program activity to ensure the integrity of our programs is maintained.
HFS is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. HFS is an equal opportunity employer.
Essential Functions
- Serves as General Counsel for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Plans, directs, and evaluates all functions and activities of the Office of the General Counsel; develops and implements program policies and procedures; provides technical legal advice to the Director, the Assistant Director, Deputy Directors, and other administrative staff throughout the Department to ensure the legal integrity of all Agency systems; establishes program goals and objectives and monitors and evaluates program effectiveness
- Serves as a full line supervisor; assigns and reviews work; provides guidance and training to assigned staff, counsels staff regarding work performance; reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs; establishes annual goals and objectives; approves time off; adjusts first level grievances; effectively recommends and imposes discipline, up to and including discharge; prepares and signs performance evaluations; determines and recommends staffing needs
- Confers with subordinate managers regarding potential legal problems; advises staff regarding hearings; directs and design and implementation of new program initiatives; defines areas of departmental operations requiring study/research and directs the development of alternative methods and resolutions
- Initiates and establishes policies, standards, and procedural guidelines for operations carried out through the bureaus and sections within the Office; directs the development of and approves all program changes; initiates and implements work methods and procedures; acts on behalf of the Director; formulates Agency policies and represents Agency interests to other State officials; establishes budget priorities for the Office and directs their implementation
- Serves as a member of the Director's planning committee and Executive Staff; keeps the Director advised on all matters, problems, and progress within areas of responsibilitiy
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the members and officials of the Illinois General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the attorny General, the Bureau of the Budget, and other state, federal, and local agencies; serves in a liaison capacity with private and professional organizations to promote and explain Agency investigations, inspections, and security initiatives; travels to attend meetings and conferences
- Assists the Director in the development, establishment, and revision of departmental policies, rules, and regulations; confers with subordinate administrators regarding their program responsibilities; aligns and integrates program operations on an intra-agency basis; promotes the most efficient utilization of resources assigned to the program area
- Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college. Requires graduation from a recognized law school. Requires possession of a license to practice law in the State of Illinois. Requires prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law. Requires the ability to travel.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
- Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a laptop
- 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 require the ability to work evenings and weekends
- 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: 401 S Clinton St, Chicago, Illinois, 60607
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: HFS.DPAS@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Leadership & Management
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 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:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
- systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
Nearest Major Market: Chicago