Assistant Attorney General - Public Interest - Civil Rights – Chicago

Title: Assistant Attorney General

Division: Public Interest

Bureau: Civil Rights - Chicago

Description:

The mission of the Civil Rights Bureau is to protect and advance the civil rights of all in Illinois. The Bureau monitors, investigates, and enforces civil rights laws on behalf of the state; works to strengthen the civil rights laws; and participates in community outreach and public education efforts. The Bureau’s civil rights authority includes:

• Addressing patterns and practices of discrimination in housing, public accommodations (including education), employment, and financial services.
• Addressing patterns and practices of unlawful or unconstitutional conduct by police departments or county corrections.
  
• Bringing civil hate crimes lawsuits under the Illinois hate crimes statute.
• Monitoring the compliance of public and private colleges and universities in Illinois with the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act.
• Enforcing and monitoring compliance with the Illinois Trust Act and VOICES Act, which govern law enforcement interactions with immigrant communities.

As a proactive and responsive force that has the authority to identify, investigate, and dismantle systemic inequities across the state of Illinois, the Civil Rights Bureau serves as a national model in civil rights protection and adapts to respond to pressing civil rights concerns. The Bureau drafted school discipline guidance and recently launched an investigation into police ticketing practices at a school district. Earlier this year, the Bureau initiated the office’s first civil hate crimes lawsuit. The Bureau also currently enforces the nation’s most comprehensive consent decree to implement wide-ranging reform at the Chicago Police Department and is conducting a civil investigation of the Joliet Police Department.

Responsibilities:

An Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Bureau builds cases and conducts investigations regarding alleged patterns and practices of civil rights violations. Assistant Attorneys General investigate civil rights complaints, draft pleadings, draft and respond to motions, conduct discovery, manage mediations and settlements, and represent the interests of the People of the State of Illinois in court. Assistant Attorneys General assess and enforce compliance with the Way Forward Act, the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, and the Chicago Police Department consent decree. Assistant Attorneys General also advise the office on proposed legislation related to civil rights, draft statewide guidance on issues pertaining to civil rights laws, and participate in community outreach.

Qualifications:

Candidates must be licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois at the time of application. Candidates should have at least three years of post-J.D. legal experience; experienced attorneys are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have demonstrated commitment to public service and experience in enforcing state and/or federal civil rights laws. Candidates must also be able to work independently, interact with a diverse group of colleagues and stakeholders, and possess strong research, analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Salary: Salaries start at $76,008. Candidates must be licensed to practice law by the State of Illinois at the time of application.

To ensure full consideration, please send cover letter with résumé to:

Thor Y. Inouye
Director of Attorney Recruiting, Professional Development, and Diversity
Office of the Illinois Attorney General
100 West Randolph, 12th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-3695
(312) 814-5218 (fax)
attorneyhiring@ilag.gov

The Illinois Attorney General's Office is an equal opportunity employer. The Office considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, or the presence of a non-job-related medical condition or disability.

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