Assistant State Attorney Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: ASA, Law Enforcement Review Unit (LERU)

Reports to: LERU Supervisor

Grade/Step: AY3/101 AY1/101

Salary: $114,879 - $146,970 Salary range is provided by law; however, individual compensation is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, years and quality of experience. Any salary offered is non-negotiable.

Location: George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse, 2650 South California Ave.

Application Deadline: September 11, 2026

Note: The Cook County State's Attorney's Office does not sponsor H1-B work visa petitions.

Position Description: The Law Enforcement Accountability Division (LERU) is seeking an Assistant States Attorney. The Assistant States Attorneys in LERU are responsible for reviewing allegations of on-duty misconduct by law enforcement officers throughout Cook County to determine whether criminal prosecution is appropriate. LERU reviews all officer-involved shootings and deaths that occur in police custody, as well as allegations of excessive force, official misconduct, perjury, bribery, theft, obstructing justice, aggravated/reckless discharge of a firearm, and sex offenses. LERU vertically prosecutes all cases resulting in criminal charges and presents evidence and witness testimony before the grand jury. This is a full-time bargaining unit exempt position.

Working Environment & Reporting Structure:

Assistant States Attorneys assigned to LERU report directly to the Supervisor of LERU. LERU falls under the First Assistant States Attorney, and their cases then are reported directly to the States Attorney.

Duties/Requirements:

Assistant States Attorneys in LERU are responsible for drafting internal memoranda summarizing investigations and supporting charging and declination recommendations. ASAs in the Unit have the opportunity to work with a variety of investigative partners including the Chicago Police Department, Civilian Office of Police Accountability, Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force, Cook County Sheriffs Police, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. LERU ASAs will be on call for one week every eight weeks to respond to calls concerning officer involved shootings which may require responding to police stations to interview witnesses and assist with other aspects of the investigation.

Because of the specialized nature of LERUs work and the time needed to properly train new members of LERU, the selected ASA should expect to remain in the position for a minimum of two years.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess a law degree from an accredited institution and be licensed in Illinois with a minimum of three years of experience. If not licensed in IL, confirm what steps are being taken to become licensed in IL.
• Strong research, writing, and oral advocacy skills;
• Willingness to become familiar with Title III, Confidential Overhears, and requirements for obtaining search warrants, particularly for cellular phone data and social media;
• Strong organizational skills with great attention to detail;
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to promote team building and be a self-starter;
• Sound judgment, critical thinking, analytical, and effective time management skills;
• Must uphold the mission, vision, and values of the Office at all times;
• Commitment to applying a vertical prosecution model including long-term investigations and complex trials with multiple crimes and defendants; and
• Willingness to be vetted for assignment as a Special United States Attorney and willingness to partner closely with local and Federal law enforcement and Federal prosecutors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior criminal law trial experience is a plus but not required.
• Litigation experience.
• Legal writing experience.
• Felony Review line ASA experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Cook County States Attorneys Office (CCSAO) is an equal opportunity employer, which seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The CCSAO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request, the CCSAO will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals due to a disability or pregnancy. The EEOP report can be found on our website at www.cookcountystatesattorney.org.

Benefits

At Cook County, we believe in investing in you, our valued employee. We understand that your well-being directly impacts the quality of service we provide to our community. That's why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial stability, and work-life balance. Here's a snapshot of what we offer:

Choose from a variety of medical, dental, and vision plans to best suit your lifestyle and needs. We provide a robust Paid Time Off (PTO) program, including vacation, personal, and sick leave, as well as 13 paid holidays. As a public service employer, our employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Our Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and referral services to help you navigate life's challenges. And of course, a pension plan through Cook County.

Follow this link to the Cook County Benefits and this link to Cook County Pension Fund if you want to learn more about our amazing benefit coverage. The CCSAO does not provide relocation assistance.