Share
Print
RSSLegal Counsel
Attorneys in the Legal Counsel Division are responsible for a variety of tasks, primarily drafting legislation at the request of the Mayor’s Office, City Departments, and Aldermen. At any given time, an attorney in the division will have about 8 to 15 ordinances for which they are responsible.
Legal Opinions
Legal opinions are another frequently requested product. These also can be at the request of the Mayor’s Office, City Departments, and Aldermen.
State Legislation
Division attorneys are responsible for monitoring the State legislature, and are called upon to review, analyze, and if necessary, edit or write state legislation.
Legal/Legislative Consultation
On a daily basis, the division attorneys are responsible for answering a variety of questions from the Mayor’s Office, City Departments, Aldermen and others in the Law Department regarding legal issues, providing explanations and clarifications on previously implemented laws, and more general research questions.
Testimony
Division attorneys are routinely called upon to testify in committee hearings as to legislation they have prepared.
City of Chicago Legislation
The division chief is responsible for organizing legislation to be introduced into the City Council, serving as a liaison to the sponsor, keeping track of items going forward and items removed from the agenda, and preparing materials (for example, Mayoral transmittal letters) that accompany the legislation. During the City Council meeting itself, the division chief is present on the council floor to provide information on rules and parliamentary procedure, otherwise assist as necessary and provide the Aldermen with requested materials.
Preparation of all Ceremonial Resolutions
Division attorneys and staff prepare all ceremonial resolutions for introduction at the City Council meetings.
