Director of Policy at Cook County Treasurers Office

Characteristics of the Position

General Overview

Acts as the policy advisor and as a senior legal counsel to the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurers on all matters related to policies and procedures, including the statutory authority of the Treasurer’s Office to implement policies through administrative rules, county ordinances, state laws, and federal laws. Interprets the legal and operational ramifications of proposals, policy initiatives, and other actions planned or undertaken by the Treasurer’s Office, other county offices and agencies, and state or federal agencies. Drafts and advocates for legislative initiatives of the Treasurer’s Office. Advises on matters related to the Freedom of Information Act. Works with the State’s Attorney’s Office to evaluate and prepare for litigation, devise litigation strategy, and obtain opinions from counsel. Provides strategic and operational guidance to the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurers on internal office policies. Manages teams or departments within the Treasurer’s Office tasked with researching, developing, and implementing policies, including in particular teams or departments focused on developing and implementing advanced technologies.  

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Provides policy advice and legal advice to the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurers on a variety of matters pertaining to the office’s functions, duties, powers, and responsibilities set forth and defined by the County ordinance, state law, and federal law.

Formulates and defines policy and legal positions to be considered by the Treasurer, Deputy Treasurers, and Chief General Counsel. Conducts legal research and policy research.

Drafts legislation and advocates for or against legislation in accordance with the Treasurer’s Office’s policy interests. Testifies as a subject matter expert before the Illinois General Assembly as necessary on policy matters and legislation of interest to the Treasurer’s Office.

Leads intergovernmental policy initiatives of the Treasurer’s Office, including collaborations with city, county, and state agencies and elected officials.

Collaborates with attorneys in the State’s Attorney’s Office and senior staff of elected officials to make policy decisions that are consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Reads, analyzes, and answers correspondence pertaining to a variety of legal questions of immediate concern to the Treasurer’s Office.

Handles special projects of specific purposes and confidential nature as required.

Drafts state legislation, ordinances, agreements, contracts, policies, procedures, and other similar documents.

Provides advice to the Freedom of Information Officer on questions related to the Freedom of Information Act.

Manages teams or departments created to achieve intermediate and long-term policy goals of the office, such as technological innovation and increased operational efficiency.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Thorough and extensive knowledge of the law pertaining to local and municipal government in Illinois, particularly with respect to Cook County government and the Chicago Metropolitan area, including unincorporated areas of Cook County.

Researching, interpreting, and arguing law as it pertains to the responsibility and authority of the Treasurer’s Office. Skilled in the legal analysis.   

Comprehensive understanding of the property tax administration system in Illinois, and Cook County in particular.

Ability to coordinate any of the above in connection with the State’s Attorney or other designated counsel.

Experience managing teams or departments of 5 or more individuals.

Familiarity with the typical approaches to incorporating technological advances into organizations, and a working knowledge of recent developments computer science and process automation.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor.

Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.

Five (5) years or greater professional work experience as an attorney dealing with matters of civil law and government.

Preferred Qualifications

Seven (7) or more years of professional work experience as an attorney dealing with matters of civil law and government.

Five (5) or more years of professional work experience as an attorney dealing with property tax administration.

Five (5) or more years of professional work experience as a senior advisor to an elected official.