LEGAL COUNSEL (BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS) SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Overview

The Board of Commissioners is seeking a Legal Counsel to act as legal advisor and counsel to the bureau chief or director in all matters related to the statutory authority and execution of powers of that department, bureau or departments within bureau; also functions as direct legal aide to the director or bureau chief as required.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?



Benefits

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.
  
  

Please review carefully the Employee Benefits page. For benefits questions contact Risk Management at 312-603-6385 or email risk.mgmt@cookcountyil.gov.

Snapshot Of Cook County

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
• 2nd largest county in America
• Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
• Nearly 80% unionized workforce
• 15 unions represented
• 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.
  
  

LOCATION:

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorist, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclist.

Key Responsibilities And Duties

• Provides legal advice to the director or bureau chief in a variety of matters pertaining to the department’s functions, duties, powers and responsibilities set forth and defined by the County ordinance, state or federal law.
• Helps formulate and define legitimate and appropriate positions to be taken by the director. Conducts legal research and advises as necessary.
• Acts in tandem, where necessary, with legal advisors in the State’s Attorney’s Office and the President’s General Counsel to coordinate efforts with legislative or civil proceedings where necessary, including on legal issues regarding the interpretation and enforcement of County Ordinances and policies.
• Reads, analyzes and answers correspondence pertaining to a variety of legal questions of immediate concern to the department.
• May assist the other members of the staff in revising ordinances, legislative proposals, directives, correspondence, and/or policies for use in intergovernmental relations and public statements etc. Conducts legal research as needed.
• Handles special projects of specific purposes and confidential nature as required.
• Advises director in the drafting of department procedural rules and policies pertaining to the interpretation and enforcement of department applicable ordinances, as well as general Department policy and procedure.
• Assists the director in drafting ordinances, agreements, contracts, policies, procedures and other relevant documentation.
• May provide advice to the Public Information Officer on questions related to the Freedom of Information Act or serve as the Freedom of Information Officer.
• Reports matters of legal relevance to the President’s Counsel and accepts assignments from the director and President’s Counsel as necessary.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Thorough and extensive knowledge of the law as it pertains to local and municipal government in Illinois, particularly with respect to Cook County government and the Chicago Metropolitan area including unincorporated areas of Cook County.
• Skills in researching, interpreting and arguing law as it pertains to the responsibility and authority of the department; likewise, skilled in the legal analysis and interpretation of the rules, regulations, laws, ordinances and resolutions of the Cook County Board.
• Transactional legal experience.
• Ability to coordinate any of the above in connection with the State’s Attorney and/or other designated counsel.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree
• PLUS, three (3) years or greater professional work experience as an attorney dealing with matters of civil law, government, or corporate transactions
• AND, a licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief

periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order, and the Cook County Personnel this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Job Posting

Jan 28, 2025, 3:36:50 PM

Organization

Offices Under the President