Senior Policy Counsel

Description

The Senior Policy Counsel is responsible for developing and leading policy and advocacy efforts resulting in transformational changes across several substantive program areas. Reporting to the Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs Director, and member of the Advocacy Department, the Senior Policy Counsel will work collaboratively with colleagues in our Communications, Legal, and Philanthropy & Engagement Departments to promote change and expand rights and access through state and local policy, legislation, administrative actions, and legal, communications, and engagement strategies.

This position will supervise and support select staff, fellows, and interns engaged in policy, legislative, and administrative advocacy work.

The Senior Policy Counsel will be required to work proactively and responsively, often including evenings and weekends, particularly while the Illinois General Assembly is in Session. This includes most weeks from January through May, for two weeks in the Fall Veto Session, and in January following election years for the Lame Duck Session.

Yes

Full-time, in-office, exempt, non-union position. Based at our Chicago, Illinois office.

The Senior Policy Counsel will help to develop, lead, and implement the ACLU-IL’s legislative, policy, and advocacy priorities through the following job responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities to advance civil liberties and civil rights in complex policy areas using a variety of non-litigation methods at the state and local levels.
• Monitor, research, analyze, and advise on legal, legislative, political, technological, and other developments in assigned issue areas; identify other areas that warrant the organization’s attention.
• Provide expertise, including verbal and written policy, legislative or legal analysis, and tactical suggestions, to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Independently analyze and draft bills, administrative rules/regulations, and comments at the state and local levels.
• Prepare and provide expert‑level guidance and testimony on pending legislation before state and local legislative committees, administrative agencies, and other regulatory bodies.
• Lobby elected officials, their staff, and other public officials to support ACLU of Illinois positions on pending legislation and policy initiatives.
• Conduct in-depth civil liberties briefings for government officials to advance priority ACLU of Illinois positions.

• Work with the Advocacy Team and community stakeholders to ensure that the program approach is informed by the voices, perspectives, and experiences of people who are directly impacted by the issues we address.
• Work with other ACLU affiliates on advocacy efforts in furtherance of policy outcomes as needed.
• Participate as an ACLU of Illinois representative in meetings, task forces, working groups, and coalitions.
• Provide expert commentary to media, participate in media briefings, and contribute to op‑eds and other relevant publications.
• Build and maintain trusted, respectful, and collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including but not limited to: people impacted by our work, community members and leaders, coalitions, allied organizations, issue experts, legislative staff, government officials, and elected officials.

• Law degree required; demonstrated expertise in constitutional law is preferred.
• At least 10 years of legal experience, with a minimum of 8 years of experience working in legislative, political, policy, legal, or government settings.
• Have a well‑developed interest in a range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and the ability to master areas of law outside of their current expertise.
• Extensive knowledge of current policy questions related to civil liberties is strongly preferred.
• High degree of familiarity with public policy, legislative, and/or administrative processes preferred.
• High level, substantive, and extensive experience in policy development, including demonstrated ability to analyze legislative and regulatory policy, experience drafting and…