Legislative Counsel

Summary: The Chicago City Council President Pro Tempore is seeking candidates for the Legislative Counsel position in the City Council Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB). The primary role of the Legislative Counsel is drafting legislation, conducting legislative research, and serving as a resource for members of City Council and City Council Committees. The Legislative Counsel reports to the Director of the LRB and works closely with all members of City Council to empower and support City Council in its role as the legislative branch of the City by providing unbiased, confidential support services to Aldermen and their staff to achieve a clear, faithful, and coherent expression of legislative policies. Under the auspices of the President Pro Tempore, the LRB performs a wide range of functions for members of the Chicago City Council, including providing impartial legal and legislative research, drafting ordinances and resolutions to be introduced to the City Council, and conducting trainings, briefings, and seminars upon the request of members of City Council.

Qualifications :

• Graduation from an ABA accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree and current member of Illinois Bar.
• 2+ years of experience drafting, reviewing, editing, and analyzing legislation and/or experience in public policy or municipal budgeting.
• Familiarity with the Chicago Municipal Code, Illinois State law, and other laws governing municipalities.
• Superior writing and editing skills.
• Draft legislation for the City Council and City Council Committees, including ordinances, resolutions, and orders, and assisting members of City Council in negotiating pending legislation with City departments and various stakeholders.
• Advise members of City Council and their staff by providing impartial legislative research upon request, including: (i) identifying federal and state legislation that may relate to a pending ordinance; (ii) compiling reports of findings of external interest groups, and (iii) identifying and analyzing existing or former laws in the Chicago Municipal Code.
• Attend City Council meetings and Committee hearings and prepare monthly summaries of legislation introduced to City Council.
• Prepare briefings, trainings, and seminars for City Council, Committees, and staff upon request.
• Serve as a resource for questions of parliamentary procedure for the members of City Council and Committees.

Responsibilities and Duties :

• Draft legislation for the City Council and City Council Committees, including ordinances, resolutions, and orders, and assisting members of City Council in negotiating pending legislation with City departments and various stakeholders.
• Advise members of City Council and their staff by providing impartial legislative research upon request, including: (i) identifying federal and state legislation that may relate to a pending ordinance; (ii) compiling reports of findings of external interest groups, and (iii) identifying and analyzing existing or former laws in the Chicago Municipal Code.
• Attend City Council meetings and Committee hearings and prepare monthly summaries of legislation introduced to City Council.
• Prepare briefings, trainings, and seminars for City Council, Committees, and staff upon request.
• Serve as a resource for questions of parliamentary procedure for the members of City Council and Committees.

Residency Requirement : All employees of the City of Chicago must be actual residents of the City as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.

Application Requirements: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and recent writing sample to [email protected] .

Location: Chicago City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. Chicago, IL 60602

Schedule: Full-time, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday. Some evening and weekend availability may be required, particularly during the City’s annual budget process (typically from early October to early December).