Open Roles for Attorneys at DCFS
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is accepting applications for two attorney positions.
Senior Regional Counsel (Peoria, IL)
Title: Public Service Administrator (Senior Regional Counsel)
Work Location: 5415 N University St, Peoria, Illinois, 61614
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $9,167 - $10,500/month
Closing Date/Time: 12/22/2025
Position Overview
- Serves as Senior Regional Counsel
- Interviews Department witnesses
- Evaluates cases involving clients where the Department is involved in court or seeking expunction or indication
- Serves as legal advisor to regional field staff
- Plans, directs, and conducts technical legal screening and provides case consultation to caseworkers andsupervisors to help prepare cases for termination of parental rights (TPR), to determine when cases are trial ready for TPR
- Serves as Department liaison to judiciary, State’s Attorney’s Offices, and various court personnel in numerous counties in the region
- Maintains current working knowledge of new legislation, Department rules and policy, and all relevant law
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
1. Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
2. Requires three years of experience in the practice of law
Supervisory Regional Counsel (Peoria, IL)
Title: Public Service Administrator (Supervisory Regional Counsel)
Work Location: 5415 N University St, Peoria, Illinois, 61614
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $9,167- $10,500/month
Closing Date/Time: 12/22/2025
Position Overview
- Serves as Supervisory Regional Counsel
- Provides technical advice and counsel to Agency personnel conducting all levels of administrative “fair hearings”
- Serves as full line supervisor
- Serves as legal advisor to regional field staff
- Plans, directs, and conducts technical legal screening and provides case consultation to caseworkers andsupervisors to help prepare cases for termination of parental rights (TPR), to determine when cases are trial ready for TPR
- Serves as agency liaison to judiciary, State’s Attorney offices, and various court personnel in each county in the region
- Maintains current working knowledge of new legislation, Department rules and policy, and all relevant law
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
1. Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
2. Requires three years of experience in the practice of law
Special Assistant General Counsel (Springfield, IL)
Title: Public Service Administrator (Special Assistant General Counsel)
Work Location: 4 W Old State Capitol Plz, Springfield, Illinois, 62701
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $10,000 - $11,200/month
Closing Date/Time: 12/22/2025
Position Overview
- Provides legal advice and counsel to the agency’s central office management and professional staff
- Provides advice and counsel to staff of the Division of Licensing regarding any and all questions on licensing rules, statutes, and procedures
- Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation
- Provides legal advice and counsel to program staff concerning any and all questions on adoptions, guardianship, permanency goals, and other initiatives
- Provides legal counsel to professional staff concerning any and all questions on adoptions and permanency issues in developing case presentation and interpreting court orders, statutes, and regulations
- Represents the Department in administrative hearings and licensing appeals which involve some adverse decision of actions regarding a DCFS license, such as revocation, placement hold, non-renewal, license denial, etc.
- Reviews drafts and coordinates with staff the finalization of Department Intergovernmental Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
1. Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
2. Requires three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law