Assistant General Counsel \- FOIA
Requisition ID: 00138893
Organization: Sheriff's Department
Job Posting: May 1, 2026, 1:48:25 PM Closing Date: May 22, 2026, 11:59:00 PM
Full\-time A.M. P.M.Posting Salary: $92,000 annually Cook County
Sheriff
Job Code:5847
Job Title:Assistant General Counsel \- FOIA
Salary Grade: 24
Department: Legal and Labor Affairs
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Position Details: Civilian (non\-sworn) / non\-merit ranked / internal \& external candidates.
FLSA Status:Exempt
Probation Period: 12 months
Direct Appointment
*Characteristics of the Position*
General Overview
Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel \- FOIA is responsible for providing quality and efficient legal services to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (“CCSO”). The Assistant General Counsel \- FOIA will be responsible for coordinating all FOIA requests for CCSO records in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.
The Assistant General Counsel \- FOIA will assist the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels, Assistant General Counsels and Special Counsel where needed in managing all aspects of CCSO litigation, labor and employment matters, grievances, and arbitrations. The Assistant General Counsel \- FOIA will also be responsible for any other legal matters as directed by the Deputy General Counsel and Assistant General Counsels.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Process all requests for records submitted by the public pursuant to FOIA and ensure that the CCSO’s response(s) to all requests are compliant with FOIA and state/federal law.
Review and investigate all initial FOIA requests. Serve as the liaison between the Departments in order to gather, and ultimately review, all responsive records.
Prepare written responses to all requests in a timely manner as required under the FOIA statute.
Maintain the CCSO’s electronic FOIA database by inputting and updating data.
Prepare written responses to the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC)’s inquiries and formal Requests for Review.
Assist where needed in the management of all CCSO litigation; monitor the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Civil Division and Special State’s Attorneys in litigation matters including the preparation, review and disclosure of all pleadings, discovery responses and materials, the coordination of witness preparation and deposition testimony, oversee all trial preparation, filings, and litigation.
Review laws and regulations affecting the Sheriff’s Office. Render legal opinions, provide legal advice and counsel to anticipate, avoid, mitigate, or resolve potential or pending legal issues, disputes, and litigation. Assist in the creation and review of proposed written directives, policies, and procedural manual changes.
Respond to questions regarding federal, state, and local laws and their impact on the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, performing research into statutory and case law as necessary to advise the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in its day\-to\-day operations and policy decisions.
Handle employee matters that involve County or State administrative bodies. Participate in departmental disciplinary procedures and assist in establishing policies to foster positive relationships with and among employees.
As needed, act as a hearing officer for administrative matters including but not limited to inmate disciplinary hearings.
Assist with the review and monitoring of existing and expired contracts, including but not limited to, grants, county contracts, memorandum of understanding, intergovernmental agreements, and professional service agreements to ensure that the vendor and CCSO are both complying with terms of the contract.
Conduct legal research and complete tasks set forth by General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel or Special Counsel in an organized and thorough manner. Prioritization and deadlines will be established by the supervising Assistant General Counsel.
Assist with litigation, employment, labor, and all other Legal Department functions as directed by the Assistant General Counsels, General Counsel, or designees.
Maintain confidentiality and ensure that the organization faithfully performs pursuant to federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and ordinances. Adhere to the code of ethics and professionalism.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to use computer\-based technologies to manipulate, create, store, and retrieve information.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database maintenance.
Ability to communicate well with others, to answer questions and inquiries, and to coordinate communication and updates concerning FOIA to relevant Department personnel.
Excellent organizational skills.
Excellent legal research, writing and analytical skills.
Intermediate proficiency in the use of office equipment, computers, and data entry with the ability to apply these skills to his/her duties and responsibilities.
Ability to listen and communicate effectively with others verbally and in writing with tact and courtesy.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with supervisors in a respectful, productive, and succinct manner.
Ability to track and measure activity and productivity.
Excellent critical thinking and decision\-making skills.
Ability to satisfactorily prepare and complete various reports.
Ability to work well with others.
Ability to work in close proximity to pre\-trial detainees in the Cook County Jail divisions.
Knowledge of and ability to use sound judgment in identifying issues that may have a high\-cost impact or legal implications for the organization, referring those issues to senior leadership.
Ability to work with limited supervision.
Minimum Qualifications
A Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution.
Member of the Illinois Bar.
Ability to work within the Cook County Jail maximum, medium and minimum\-security divisions.
The Assistant General Counsel \- FOIA must successfully complete an electronic training within 30 days after assuming the position. Thereafter, Assistant General Counsel \- FOIA must successfully complete the electronic training each year. The Assistant General Counsel \- FOIA will work with every department within the Sheriff’s Office and therefore experience working with a multi\-departmental agency is welcome.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in the government contracts and procurement field.
Technical proficiency and ability to work within multiple electronic record systems.
*The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are nottobeconstruedasacompletelistofthemanydutiesnormallytobeperformedunderajob title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.*
\\ArticleEE,Civilian SelectionProcess,oftheSheriff’sEmployment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the followinglink:
https://cookcountysheriffil.gov/wp\-content/uploads/2025/11/SEAM\-Article\-EE\-Civilian\-Selection\-Process\-updated\-11\-15\-25\.pdf
Pleasenotethattherearenoremotejobopportunities, allpositionsarelocated onsite.
All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site on the Human Resource page.
- Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.
*ICertifythatnoPoliticalReasonsorFactorswereconsideredinanydecisionImadeoraction I took related to this Employment Action.Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.*
EEO Statement
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Benefits
*HealthInsuranceProgram*– Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.
*Holidays*– Thirteen (13\) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year. Employees who are active at the beginning of the fiscal year (December 1st) also qualify for a floating holiday.
*SickLeave*– Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1\) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy\-five (175\) working days.
*Vacation Leave*– Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15\) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment.
*LifeInsurance*– Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1\) time the employee’s annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.
*PensionPlan*– Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten
(10\) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.
*DeferredCompensationProgram*– Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.
The 2025 Cook County Employee Benefits Overview can be viewed at:
https://www.cookcountyil.gov/sites/g/files/ywwepo161/files/documents/2025\-09/OE26\.Employee Benefits Overview (EBO)\_County.pdf
DrugandAlcohol\-FreeWorkplace
It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to provide a drug\- and alcohol\-free workplace for all members.
It is imperative that all Sheriff’s Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff’s Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random, or based on reasonable suspicion.
\Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. \
This position requires successful completion of post\-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification and ineligible for appointment to, or employment in, a position in the County service for a period of five years. For current Cook County Sheriff’s employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and ineligible for appointment to or employment in a position in the County service for a period of five years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44\-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment \- Penalty, 44\-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre\-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014\-2\.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3\.3(b) (7\) (8\) (18\).
Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM)**
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non\-Exempt Positions. Cook County Sheriff’s officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non\-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Sheriff’s Director of Compliance. If the Cook County Sheriff’s Director of Compliance sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.”
The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring decision.