Staff Counsel/FOIA

About the role

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) seeks a Staff Counsel/FOIA Department member to represent the Authority in legal matters, handle real estate closings, assist with asset management, conduct research, and serve as the Authority's FOIA officer.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for closing basic loans and grants.
• Drafts and negotiates loan and grant documents and reviews and approves all due diligence submitted by grantees and borrowers.
• Represents the Authority with legal issues related to asset management on previously closed loans and grants, including, but not limited to, workouts, foreclosures, transfers of physical assets and loan and grant modifications.
• May be required to appear in court on matters pertaining to foreclosures, mechanics liens, fair housing, and building code violations.
• Advises Authority staff on issues arising under the administrative law areas of, including, but not limited to, freedom of information, procurement, ethics, open meetings, and administrative procedures.
• Drafts and negotiates contracts.
• Serves as the Authority’s FOIA Officer in close consultation with one or more of the Authority’s Associate & Corporate Counsel personnel.
• Receives and responds to requests for information of public record using multiple resources and streams of data to research and locate relevant information.
• Resolves information requests within the required timeframes and where appropriate, requests extensions in writing.
• Affirms whether the magnitude information requested proves burdensome in adherence with the State of Illinois Freedom of Information guidelines.
• Maintains and updates log of all FOIA requests.
• Prepares and maintains statistical and narrative work activity reports.
• Conducts research and assists on other matters as assigned by a Supervising Senior Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel or the General Counsel.

Requirements

• B.A. or B.S., or equivalent, and a J.D. Must be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, in good standing.
• Minimum of one year of experience in real estate law and/or contract law. Affordable housing experience is desired.

Qualifications

• Alternating between sitting, standing, and walking.
• Ascending and descending stairs.
• Crouching and stooping.
• Pushing and pulling.
• Repetitive task movements (filing, keyboarding, copying).
• Lifting, carrying, and moving objects of up to 10 -15 pounds.

Benefits

• Paid time off, plus paid holidays.
• Medical/dental/vision/life insurance plans.
• Short/long term disability.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Flex spending 401K plan – immediate vesting.

Pay

$94,997.50 - $118,746.88

Schedule

Flexible scheduling is available, upon completion of a six-month probationary period.

Company Info

IHDA is one of the Nation’s preeminent Housing Finance Agencies and one of the State’s ten largest financial institutions. Our mission is to finance the creation and preservation of affordable housing across the state. IHDA oversees more than 20 federal and state programs on behalf of the state of Illinois and serves as one of the state’s primary resources for housing policy and program administration. For over 50 years, IHDA has led the state in financing and supporting affordable housing.