Assistant Legal Counsel

Assistant Legal Counsel – Office of the Illinois Senate President and the Senate Democratic Caucus: This public interest law job is a great opportunity to apply your foundational legal skills in public policy and public service.

Position and Minimum Qualifications:

The Office of the Senate President and the Senate Democratic Caucus are seeking highly motivated attorneys for the 2026-27 legislative session. The Assistant Legal Counsel position is a temporary position that will start in either November/December 2026 or January 2027 and will last until June 30, 2027 with the potential for future full-time employment (subject to availability of full-time positions). All applicants must be licensed or in the process of becoming licensed to practice law in Illinois by the start of the contract. Those awaiting Illinois Bar results are encouraged to apply. Attorneys will work on contract in Springfield during the legislative session of the 105th General Assembly.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

As a part of the legal team, attorneys in this position work with the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, policy stakeholders and staff in other departments under the Office of the Senate President.  Attorneys are assigned to several Senate committees and are responsible for conducting policy and legal research, drafting legislation, analyzing legislation, monitoring parliamentary proceedings, drafting legal memoranda, and advising Senate members in negotiations and committee and floor debates. Senate attorneys work in a number legislative issue areas including, but not limited to: civil law, civil rights, criminal law, family law, healthcare regulation, housing, energy, environmental, privacy, constitutional rights, election law, employment/labor regulation.  Successful candidates must be able to work well in a fast-paced environment and must possess excellent writing skills, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to exercise independent judgment. This position is a great opportunity to gain invaluable insight into the legislative process, gain skills in legal research and negotiation, and play an integral part in state policymaking on a variety of topics.

Salary: Contract attorneys are paid at a rate of $70,000 per year. For those not living in Central Illinois, a per diem is provided to cover the costs of maintaining a residence near the Capitol and reimbursement for the cost of travel back home from Springfield most weekends. The contract also includes health insurance reimbursements.

Application and Interview: 

Applications will be accepted, interviews conducted, and hiring decisions will be made on a rolling basis until positions are filled so early application is strongly encouraged. Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, two professional references, and a short writing sample to the address below by 4 p.m. (CST) by October 22, 2026 via mail or e-mail. Please use the subject “Assistant Counsel Position” for all email correspondence. Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis and will be virtual at a time to be determined by the parties. 

To ensure full consideration, please send your application packet to:

Giovanni R. Randazzo
Senate Parliamentarian 

General Counsel

Illinois State Senate 

Office of the Senate President

Senate Democratic Caucus

Room 703H William G. Stratton Building

401 S. Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704

 

OR

Via email to Giovanni Randazzo c/o Lucretia Rutherford at: lrutherford@senatedem.ilga.gov

About the Office of the Senate President:

The Senate President, Senator Don Harmon, is the presiding officer of the 59-member Illinois Senate and the leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus. The Senate President is responsible for ensuring proper legislative procedures and operations are followed. The Office assists in formation, passage and implementation of legislative policy initiatives. The Senate Democratic Caucus is one of the largest supermajorities in the country with 40 members representing all parts of the State. 

The Office of the Senate President is an equal opportunity employer. Applications are evaluated on the basis of job qualifications and not race, sex, color, disability, national origin, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship or authorized alien status, or veteran status. Information about the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus can be found at the following website: www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com/. If you have any questions, please feel free to call (217) 782-2156 or email lrutherford@senatedem.ilga.gov.