Deputy General Counsel

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students.  To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history.  Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history.  To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Date:  May 14, 2026
Location: 

Springfield, IL, US, 62701

Job Requisition ID:  56119

Job Requisition ID: 56119 
Opening Date: 05/14/2026
Closing Date: 05/26/2026
Agency:Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015 
Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License 
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $130,000 to $140,000 per year
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Sangamon
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.

 

Position Overview:

Join A World Class Institution!! This position serves as the Deputy General Counsel for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM), a world class institution that welcomes more than 250,000visitors every year and that houses one of the world’s best collections of Lincoln-related documents, artifacts and audiovisual materials The incumbent will have a thorough understanding and experience in all aspects of legal research and analysis. The ideal candidate will be detailed oriented and possess a good working knowledge of personnel and contractual law, as well as experience with FOIA, ADA, Illinois Ethics law, and procurement. We invite qualified applicants to apply for this position and help ALPLM continue to chronicle the life of one of our nation's greatest Presidents. 

 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum offers a robust benefit package including:

  • Monday-Friday schedule
  • Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
  • Paid Parental leave
  • Pension Plan
  • Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
  • Employees earn (12) paid sick days annually
  • (10-25) paid vacation days (based on years of service)
  • Employees earn (3) paid personal days (pro-rated based on start date)
  • (13-14) paid state holidays annually

Work hours and schedule will be mutually agreed upon by supervisor during the onboarding process.

 

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.

Essential Functions

  • Serves as the principal legal advisor to the Chief Legal Counsel for the ALPLM.
  • Managers, develops, plans, directs, coordinates and reviews the organization and administration of new and existing programs, operations and functions.
  • As Deputy General Counsel for the Agency, responsible for all legal activities affecting the Agency.
  • Serves as an official spokesperson for the agency representing the Executive Director and/or the Chief Legal Counsel at various internal and external meetings, often of a sensitive and confidential nature, possessing significant independent authority.
  • Plans, evaluates, develops and validates programs, standards. policies, methods, techniques and procedures and assists in implementation.
  • Drafts, reviews, and negotiates agency leases with various entities, i.e. concession leases, interagency agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, farm leases, etc.
  • Supports the Chief Legal Counsel in their role as the Agency Ethics Officer; administers the policy and procedures applicable to the Employees' Ethics Acts to all agency employees.
  • Designs, conducts, and coordinates investigations into allegations of employee misconduct, and necessary background checks both internally and externally subject to appropriate laws and regulations.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Requires graduation from an accredited school of law and possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois.
  • Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
  • Requires two (2) years of professional experience in the practice of law.
  • Requires two (2) years of experience applying judicial and quasi-judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
  • Requires two (2) years of experience interpreting and applying common law and the provisions of state and federal laws relating to administrative and regulatory functions.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prefers a minimum of three (3) years of experience providing legal counsel to a public-sector agency or government entity, including interpreting, drafting, and implementing administrative rules, policies, and procedures.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience litigating matters and representing a government agency or similarly regulated organization in complex legal proceedings.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience conducting internal investigations into employee misconduct, labor relations, or ethics matters, applying relevant laws and regulations.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience collaborating with executive leadership as a trusted legal advisor on high-level, sensitive, and confidential matters.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience reviewing, negotiating, and managing complex leases, contracts, and intergovernmental agreements in a public or nonprofit environment.
  • Prefers two (2) years of experience demonstrating Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to represent an agency as an official spokesperson in high-stakes or sensitive situations.

Conditions of Employment

  • Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
  • Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
  • 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 use an agency-supplied mobile phone.

 

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 ALPLM is passionate in or mission to inspire civic engagement through the diverse lens of Illinois history and sharing with the world the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.  As caretakers of a one-of-a-kind collection of artifacts, we consider our work to learn, teach and share history a great honor. The people of the ALPLM strive to employ innovate approaches to create a positive impact for the future, as it can be inspired by the past.  As preservationists of Illinois' diverse history, we strive to build, maintain, and make accessible a growing record of history for today's inquisitive explorers as well as those who shall, in the future, rely on our efforts.  Our learning-centered agency insists on the values of honesty and integrity, intentional leadership, equitable collaboration and transparent accountability.  The ALPLM boasts pristine facilities, a creative environment, and a professional staff with a variety of backgrounds and talents.

Work Hours:  Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm 
Headquarter Location: 112 N 6th St, Springfield, Illinois, 62701 
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: Patricia Young 
Email: patricia.young4@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-785-7940
Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance

 

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: Springfield