PARALEGAL ASSISTANT

Position Overview

Organizes and compiles case files from court records and other sources. Compiles transcripts, exhibits, and indices in standard format for presentation to Commissioners. Researches and drafts preliminary documents including but not limited to fact sections of case determinations, subpoenas, and correspondence. Examines case and court files for crime victim information; utilizes public databases and provided investigatory tools to locate crime victims’ families and notify them of Commission proceedings. Compiles administrative records, removing privileged and non-evidentiary information. Assists in responding to subpoenas, FOIA requests, or other correspondence received by the Commission. Coordinates with File Retrieval Specialist as necessary, including assistance at courthouses with retrieval, scanning, and copying of files. May assist Private Secretary with creation and transmission of Commissioners’ meeting books and other case documents or correspondence. May assist Private Secretary and staff attorneys with maintaining claim-tracking systems.

Essential Functions

• Performs preliminary legal research and organization of claimant files, particularly Cook County Criminal Court files. 

• Organizes files into complete administrative records for presentation to the Commissioners, removing privileged and non-evidentiary information prior to transmission to Commissioners.

• Conducts review of case files for documents demonstrating contact information of victims and their families to use in PeopleMAP searches of Westlaw to locate current mailing addresses and phone numbers of victims.

• Coordinates with File Retrieval Specialist and supervisor to ensure continued availability of ready-to-investigate case files for staff attorneys and pro bono partners, including managing Master Claimant list and organizing the list as specified in Administrative Rules to ensure priority cases are addressed in order required by Administrative Rules’ priority factors.

• Coordinates with Private Secretary, supervisor, and other staff attorneys to manage and distribute workload of drafting subpoenas, correspondence, and other Commission and case documents as needed.

• 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 with coursework in such areas as legal, pre-legal, English, statistics or directly related coursework.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers working knowledge of state and federal legal systems, including knowledge of court and quasi-judicial procedures.
• Prefers working knowledge of all available legal research tools including but not limited to those found in a law library, on Westlaw, and on Lexis Nexis.
• Prefers working knowledge of technical report writing, vocabulary, word usage and analytical ability in working with information such as would typically be acquired through post-secondary education.
• Prefers skill in utilizing Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Excel, and other electronic data processing systems in a PC-based office environment.
• Prefers skill working with files and electronic documents in cloud-based document storage software such as OneDrive, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams.
• Prefers excellent organizational skills: ability to multitask and manage multiple priorities simultaneously; excellent interpersonal skills and a team player.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel.

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.

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