Chicago, IL – LEGAL COUNSEL

POSITION: Legal Counsel

DEPARTMENT: Office of the Secretary to the Board

REPORTS TO: Secretary to the Board

SALARY: $116,370 – $142,230

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a Resume and Cover letter to Shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov

OVERVIEW

The Cook County Office of the Secretary to the Board is seeking a Legal Counsel
to join our team. This person provides assistance in interpreting the legal
ramifications of proposals, policy directives and other actions planned or
undertaken by department, bureau or County Board. May serve in the capacity of
Freedom of Information Officer or advise on matters related to the Freedom of
Information Act. Works with the President’s General Counsel and State’s
Attorneys Office as necessary in order to evaluate litigation, respond to document
requests, prepare for matters related to administrative review and address
opinions related to federal, state or local legislation.

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?

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
  POSITION PROFILE
  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 motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for
bicyclists.

ROLE SUMMARY

Acts 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. Provides assistance in interpreting the legal ramifications of
proposals, policy directives and other actions planned or undertaken by department, bureau or County Board.
May serve in the capacity of Freedom of Information Officer or advise on matters related to the Freedom of
Information Act. Works with the President’s General Counsel and State’s Attorneys Office as necessary in order
to evaluate litigation, respond to document requests, prepare for matters related to administrative review and
address opinions related to federal, state or local legislation. Receives legal assignments from the bureau chief
or director as well as the President’s General Counsel. Reports to the bureau chief or director and President’s
General Counsel. Consults with the President’s General Counsel including in matters related to and the Office
of the Cook County State’s attorney as required.

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.