Open Roles for Attorneys at DCFS
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is accepting applications for multiple open attorney positions.
Special Assistant to the General Counsel (Chicago, IL)
Title: Public Service Administrator – Special Assistant to the General Counsel
Work Location: 60 E Van Buren, Chicago, Illinois, 60605
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $10,350 - $11,600/month
Closing Date/Time: 08/25/2026
Essential Functions
- Serves as Special Assistant to the General Counsel
- Serves as Special Assistant Attorney General, providing legal research, analysis, advice, and consultation on major federal litigation involving the Department
- Represents the Department in the circuit court of Cook County in mental health court petitions involving youth in care
- Devises and identifies legal strategies and advises on associated risks
- Serves as the agency liaison to the Child Welfare Litigation Bureau, functioning as the point person for questions, issues, discovery meetings, or other matters
- Provides input and assistance to the General Counsel in general law matters
- Provides input into various committees involving outside groups, as designated by the General Counsel
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires graduation from an accredited law school and possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
- Requires three years of administrative experience in the practice of law
Senior General Counsel (Chicago, IL)
Title: Public Service Administrator – Senior Regional Counsel
Work Location: 2245 W Ogden Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60612
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $9,488 - $10,900/month
Closing Date/Time: 08/25/2026
Essential Functions
- Serves as a Senior Regional Counsel
- Provides legal advice and counsel to professional staff in various divisions of the Department
- Serves as Department representative at all levels of administrative “fair hearings”
- Maintains current working knowledge of new legislation, Department rules and policy, and all relevant law
- Provides legal training to Department administrators, supervisors, and staff on various topics including testifying in court
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires possession of a license to practice law in Illinois
- Requires three years of experience as an attorney presenting and arguing cases in court and/or administrative hearings
- Requires experience as an attorney in cases involving child welfare or juvenile law
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: $9,488 - $10,900/month
Closing Date/Time: 08/25/2026
Essential Functions
- 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 and supervisors 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
- Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
- Requires three years of experience in the practice of law
Legislative & Policy Counsel (Springfield, IL)
Title: Public Service Administrator – Legislative & Policy Counsel
Work Location: 4 W Old State Capitol Plz, Springfield, Illinois, 62701
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $10,350 - $11,600/month
Closing Date/Time: 08/25/2026
Essential Functions
- Serves as Legislative and Policy Counsel for the Department of Children and Family Services
- Serves as liaison between the Office of Child and Family Policy and Legislative Affairs to ensure continuity and alignment in the development and implementation of Rules and Procedures necessary to carry out newly enacted legislation
- Serves as Department liaison to members of the General Assembly, Congress, and their staff Represents and communicates the Department’s interests on legislative matters and engages with elected officials and staff regarding legislation, proposed statutory changes, and legislative agendas
- Establishes and maintains systems and procedures to monitor and track various legislative proposals
- Serves as a subject matter expert for the Department on newly enacted legislation, revisions to existing statutes, agency rules and procedures, and all other relevant law
- Provides testimony before the General Assembly and Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) to present the Department’s viewpoint and legal opinion regarding current and proposed rules and legislation and ramifications on the Department, foster and adoptive parents, children, and families
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires graduation from an accredited law school and possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
- Requires three years of administrative experience in the practice of law
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