Job Title: Assistant State's Attorney

Reports to: Behavioral Health Unit Deputy Supervisor

Grade/Step: AY1/101

Salary: $144,088 - Salary 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 determined by the Chief of Staff and is non-negotiable.

Location: 50 W Washington but expected to travel county-wide, as needed.

Division: Behavioral Health

Application Deadline: December 28, 2025

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

General Description: An ASA in the Behavioral Health Unit is responsible for the prosecution of violent crimes involving mental health related issues, including cases specifically assigned to the ASA, as well as cases assigned in collaboration with the Felony Trial Division and Special Victims Unit of the CCSAO. In addition to criminal matters, the ASA also conducts civil involuntary treatment and involuntary commitment hearings and assists in the filing and presenting of writs of detention and examination and firearms restraining orders in mental health court.

• Assigned throughout Cook County to prosecute Murder and Class X felonies on cases involving fitness, sanity and mental health related issues, including post NGRI litigation
• Assigned to partner with ASAs throughout the County in the Felony Trial Division and Special Victims Unit on cases involving fitness, sanity and mental health related issues, including post NGRI litigation
• Provide guidance to ASAs throughout the CCSAO on fitness, sanity, post NGRI and other mental health related issues
• Provide training to CCSAO personnel on fitness, sanity, post NGRI and other mental health related issues
• Provide on call assistance to Felony Review on cases involving fitness, sanity or other mental health related issues
• Manage weekly Cermak mental health proceedings and provide updates to ASAs assigned to related criminal matters
• Litigate Involuntary Treatment and Involuntary Commitment Petitions/Hearings
• Prepare and present filings and hearings on writs of Examination and Detention and Firearm Restraining Orders
• Mentor and train ASAs in the BHU
• Other duties as assigned

• J.D. and be licensed to practice law in Illinois
• Significant trial experience
• 7 years criminal, civil, or mental health litigation experience.
• Superior time management skills
• Excellent judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in both civil mental health litigation and criminal litigation.
• Working knowledge of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and the Criminal Code, with special attention to the Fitness and Sanity statutes.
• Working knowledge of the Firearms Restraining Order and Writs of Examination and Detention statutes.

Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address the following questions:

1. Why are you interested in this particular role?

2. What in your professional experience has prepared you to succeed in this role?

3. How will you work to foster and maintain public trust in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office while upholding the mission, vision and values of the Office in your dealings with the ASAs, law enforcement partners, the judiciary, and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system?

Physical Requirements:

Light work. Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that he or she can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The Cook County State's Attorney's 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.