LEGAL COUNSEL

Anticipated starting salary: $9,500 - $10,184 monthly

About the role

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is seeking an experienced attorney who will provide guidance, direction, and assistance on a wide variety of legal matters. This attorney will oversee several key bureaus and provide guidance to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter able to prioritize and manage multiple tight deadlines in a frequently high-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Legal Counsel for DCEO, providing legal advice, guidance, and representation to Agency leadership and staff on a variety of legal matters.
• Provide legal interpretations and guidance, often of a confidential and sensitive nature, to Agency leadership, managers, and staff regarding federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures affecting Agency programs and operations.
• Conduct legal and factual research pertaining to grant monitoring outcomes, grant recovery efforts, and litigation to support the Agency’s actions to enforce provisions of grant agreements and other legal requirements.
• Assist the Director and other senior staff in drafting and interpreting administrative rules as well as complying with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
• Draft, review, and prepare contracts, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, grants, procurement documents, and other legal instruments.
• Confer with attorneys, grant recipients, governmental officials, and agencies of the state and federal governments regarding statutes, regulations, and written agreements relating to the Agency’s programs.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Requirements

• Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college and graduation from a recognized law school.
• Valid license to practice law in Illinois.
• Three years of professional experience in the practice of law.
• Completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Ability to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime, which may require working evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of professional experience in government, public sector, regulatory, administrative, contract, grants, or commercial law.
• Three years of experience interpreting complex grant agreements, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, procurement documents, and/or other legal documentation.
• Three years of experience preparing legal memoranda, opinion letters, summaries, recommendations, reports, and other written legal analyses for executive-level decision-makers.
• Two years of experience using legal research platforms, electronic records management systems, contract management systems, and/or document review tools.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
• Working knowledge of Illinois administrative law, rulemaking procedures, and state government operations.

Conditions of Employment

• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. If offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee must notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) prior to accepting such employment or may be subject to a fine.
• This position requires filing a Statement of Economic Interest and a Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State and the Executive Ethics Commission, respectively. Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

Benefits

Working with the State of Illinois offers top-tier benefits and great retirement packages, helping you build a rewarding career and lasting future. Employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams.

About The Agency

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work, and do business.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM