ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL
Chicago, IL, US, 60602
Job Requisition ID: 58285
Opening Date: 09/29/2026
Closing Date: 10/20/2026
Agency: Department of Human Services
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Salary: $8,570 - $10,557 per month ($102,840 - $126,684 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Confidential (Management Bill) Exclusion from RC010 Collective Bargaining Coverage
Work Hours: Mon - Fri, 8:30am - 5:00pm; 1-hour unpaid lunch
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: It is required that a person reports to the headquarters on this job position as necessary (could be weekly, monthly, or other schedule) dependent on operational need
Headquarter Location: 69 W Washington St, Chicago, Illinois, 60602
Office of General Counsel
Labor & Employment
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: DHS.HiringUnit@Illinois.gov
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.
When applicable, titles that require specific coursework, professional license or certification will include a notation requesting the appropriate document(s) be uploaded in the Additional Documents section of your application. Failure to upload requested transcripts, license and/or proof of certification when specified may result in ineligibility. Please note that the Department of Human Services must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) regardless of vacancy title before any offer can be extended.
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 Office of General Counsel is seeking to hire a dynamic, collaborative, detail-oriented licensed attorney in Illinois to serve as an Assistant General Counsel for Labor & Employment. This position will report to the Deputy General Counsel for Labor & Employment. Subject to management approval, the Assistant General Counsel will independently advise leadership in the Office of Labor Relations and Office of Human Resources, as well as managers agency-wide, on the full range of labor and employment issues facing the Department of Human Services. The Assistant General Counsel will provide guidance on issues such as employee discipline, interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, accommodations, leaves of absence, wage and hour laws, compensation, benefits, immigration, litigation, and risk management. The Assistant General Counsel will serve as a liaison with the Office of the Attorney General on litigation matters and will represent the Department of Human Services before administrative tribunals within the State of Illinois on labor and employment matters.
Essential Functions
- As an Assistant General Counsel, provides legal advice and counsel to the Department of Human Services on all labor and employment matters.
- Represents the Department of Human Services before the Civil Service Commission in rules violation proceedings.
- Conducts complex legal research regarding legal issues in labor and employment law which affect the Department of Human Services as assigned by the Deputy General Counsel for Labor & Employment, Chief Deputy General Counsels, and/or General Counsel.
- Analyzes, drafts, and reviews proposed legislation, rules, and policies for the Office of Human Resources and Office of Labor Relations.
- Reviews subpoenas, search warrants, and other requests for information received by the Office of Human Resources or Office of Labor Relations.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires a law degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
- Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the practice of law as a licensed attorney.
- Requires the possession of a license to practice law in Illinois.
Preferred Qualifications
- Three (3) years of professional experience litigating or advising clients on labor and employment matters.
- Three (3) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney advising clients on legal matters related to reasonable accommodations and/or leaves of absence.
- Three (3) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney litigating matters before courts or administrative tribunals.
- Three (3) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney providing legal advice to management in a governmental, social services, healthcare, or educational organization.
- Three (3) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney responding to subpoenas, search warrants, or requests for information from government agencies.
- Three (3) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney working on immigration matters for employers.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties.
- Requires the ability to work overtime.
- 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.
*All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
About the Agency
The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois. Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives. Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being for everyone in Illinois. Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.
As a State of Illinois employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:
- A Pension Program
- Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
- 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)
- Benefit time modified for part-time, 12-hour, & non-standard work schedules (as applicable)
- 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
- Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
- 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
- Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
- Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
- GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
- 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
- Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)
For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html
Statement of Economic Interest:
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.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Detailed application instructions can be found in the Current Employee Guide at Application Procedures or by logging in to the career portal for State employees and viewing the instructions on Completing the Electronic Application.
Non-State employees: Detailed application instructions can be found in the External Applicant Guide at Application Procedures or from Illinois.jobs2web.com – click Application Resources in the footer of every page of the website.
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of the posting to begin the application process. If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in via the Employee Login link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon to sign in to their career portal.
Non-State employees should click the Sign Up link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon to sign in to an existing external account or to create a new external account.
State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.
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