Civil Rights Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights seeks a temporary Program Assistant to support the work of the Midwest Voting Rights Program during the 2026 General Election. The Program Assistant will work with the Midwest Voting Rights team to execute the day-to-day preparations for the nonpartisan Election Protection program and other key voting rights initiatives.

The Program Assistant will report to the Midwest Voting Rights Program Associate and will be based in Illinois, with the ability to work in person at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee’s downtown Chicago office once a week. This position is a contractor role with a start date of September 14, 2026, and an end date of December 18, 2026, with the ability to work up to 40 hours per week.

The Program Assistant position is an exciting opportunity for a professional who has strong project management, organization, and communications skills, as well as a passion for advancing racial equity amidst this critical time for American democracy.

Duties Include

Election Protection

• Support voting rights team in day-to-day operations related to Election Protection, using project management tools
• Complete administrative responsibilities for volunteer sign-up and management, including scheduling, tracking, and setting up trainings for various facets of the program, including call center, field, and jail voting programs
• Support volunteer coordination, including communicating with pro bono volunteers and other stakeholders
• Support outreach to coalition partners and community organizations
• Support internal and external communications regarding Election Protection
• Organize materials for nonpartisan Election Protection volunteers
• Support data gathering and analysis of election-related information

Midwest Voting Rights Program Expansion

• Support the voting rights team in fulfilling community partner requests from across the Midwest (related to Election Protection or other initiatives)
• Join coalition calls and community-partner events as needed
• Support team planning and scheduling using project management software

About You

Qualifications

• High degree of flexibility and willingness to work on a broad range of tasks
• Ability to multi-task and juggle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Significant initiative as a self-starter with an ability to work independently in a deadline-driven environment
• Experience with project management or coordination
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent communications skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a diversity of groups and individuals
• Strong people skills, especially ability to work in a culturally competent manner and ability to work well in a team
• Willingness to travel locally and flexibility to occasionally work evenings and weekends for Election Protection trainings and events
• College degree (bachelor’s, associate’s) or equivalent combination of professional experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, and Google Workspace

Preferred

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• English-to-Spanish translation experience (translation experience in a legal environment is a plus)

Don't meet every single requirement? At Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in this role description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Compensation

$26 per hour

About Us

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights was founded by a group of Chicago lawyers and law firms in 1969. We are civil rights lawyers and advocates working to secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all. We provide legal representation through partnerships with the private bar, and we collaborate with grassroots organizations and other advocacy groups to implement community-based solutions that advance civil rights.

Our Midwest Voting Rights Program works to eliminate barriers to voting and civic participation, especially in communities of color and low-income communities. To do this, we provide Election Day resources via the nonpartisan Election Protection program, partner with incarcerated and returning community members to expand voting rights, advocate for racial equity in redistricting, collaborate with local election officials, and engage in litigation in defense of civil rights or compliance with election law.

To Apply

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to: Elesha Jackson, Director of Administration, ejackson@clccrul.org, with subject line specifying "Application for Program Assistant Position (Voting Rights)." Please, no telephone inquiries. The priority deadline for applying is August 17, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights values a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws. Those from groups historically underrepresented in the legal community are strongly encouraged to apply, including those who have been impacted by the criminal legal system.