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The Illinois Prison Project (IPP) is a nonprofit organization in Chicago that seeks to reduce mass incarceration by providing legal services to individuals incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). IPP focuses on novel and creative approaches to prison reduction and engages in public education, advocacy, and direct legal representation. IPP’s mechanisms for release include clemency, parole, youthful parole, medical release, resentencing, administrative relief, and post-conviction filings. IPP is hiring a full-time Intake Paralegal. Candidates should be available to begin full-time work no later than July 27, 2026.

Candidates should be passionate about decarcerative work, attentive to detail, skilled at locating and managing voluminous legal documents, and possess excellent professional communication skills. 

Under the direct supervision of the Paralegal Supervisor, the Intake Paralegal will work with the Intake Specialist to process all requests for legal assistance made to the Illinois Prison Project. IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required.

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Intake Specialist with the management of screening lists and processes, including backlog cases
• Open and scan all non-client letters, some client letters, and enter them into the case management software
• Process intake emails and phone calls
• Promptly mail back non-client documents (originals and copies) upon approval from the Intake Specialist
• Promptly respond to non-client letters with approval from the direct supervisor and/or the Intake Specialist for matters regarding intake
  
  • Determine if the request requires a referral, and make an appropriate referral if so, and upon approval from the Intake Specialist or direct supervisor
  • Determine if the request requires a toolkit or other legal resource, and send the appropriate resource if so
  • Track all correspondence in case management software
• Assist the Intake Specialist in gathering screening information
  
  • Screening information should be entered in the case management software
  • Gathering screening information requires navigating county databases such as the Cook County Portal and Judici, requesting and retrieving court documents from county clerk offices, and may require retrieving other case-related documents, including medical records, mental health records, and IDOC records
  • Send FOIAs and conduct other investigative tasks 
  • Send out questionnaires to potential clients 
  • Schedule legal calls
• Upon case acceptance, ensure that a physical file is created and that received documents are returned upon the attorney's request  
• Upon acceptance, mail and track the receipt of all intake documents (packet including retainer, waiver, etc.)

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or have had an equally effective and relevant alternative educational or professional experience 
• At least two years of experience as a paralegal or legal assistant 
• A deep commitment to criminal legal change in Illinois and social, economic, gender, and racial justice 
• Ability to independently manage voluminous case files 
• Excellent personal and professional communication skills 
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team 
• Located near Chicago and able to travel throughout Cook County and the State for document collection
• Proficiency using Google Suite, Microsoft, Excel, and prior experience with Filevine (or other legal case management software) and Telzio is a plus

‍Location: IPP maintains a hybrid work environment, including working remotely and out of IPP’s office at 53 West Jackson Blvd in Chicago, Illinois. For this role, in-person days are required, and regular travel throughout the state will be required. Hiring preference is given to local candidates or candidates who plan to relocate locally.‍

Reports to: Paralegal Supervisor

Compensation: This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $64,899-$84,367 and guaranteed quarterly bonuses, making the total salary equivalent to $68,315-$88,808 in accordance with IPP’s payscale, which is based on experience. Full benefits include a 36-hour work week (half-day Fridays), 20 days of vacation leave, 2 additional weeks of office-wide closure for winter and summer breaks, sick/wellness leave, and 401 (k), along with health, dental, vision, long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance. IPP also makes a flat $1,000 contribution to all employee 401k accounts.

Illinois Prison Project is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Illinois Prison Project believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as an organization, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. 

How to Apply: 

• Please send via email a resume, cover letter, and three professional references, one of whom is a current or former supervisor, in a single PDF file, to hiring@illinoisprisonproject.org with “Intake Paralegal” in the subject line.
• Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 1, 2026.
• Due to the large volume of applicants, we will not be able to reply to individual emails about an applicant’s status. No phone calls, please.

The Illinois Prison Project (IPP) is a nonprofit organization in Chicago that seeks to reduce mass incarceration by providing legal services to individuals incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). IPP focuses on novel and creative approaches to prison reduction and engages in public education, advocacy, and direct legal representation. IPP’s mechanisms for release include clemency, parole, youthful parole, medical release, resentencing, administrative relief and post-conviction filings. IPP is hiring a full-time Intake Specialist. Candidates should be available to begin full-time work no later than July 27, 2026.

Candidates should be passionate about decarcerative work, attentive to detail, skilled at locating and managing voluminous legal documents, and possess excellent professional communication skills. 

Under the direct supervision of the Legal Director, the Intake Specialist will review all requests for legal assistance made to the Illinois Prison Project, and will work with the Intake Paralegal to process intakes and communicate case acceptance decisions to individuals seeking legal assistance. The Intake Specialist will also enter screening information and make a recommendation as to whether to accept or decline a matter to the Legal Director who will make the final determination and assign the matter to a Staff Attorney if accepted. IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required.

Responsibilities:

• Alongside the Legal Director, and with the assistance of an Intake Paralegal, the Intake Specialist will manage screening lists and processes, including backlog cases.
• Submit screening information and recommendations as to case acceptance or denial to the Legal Director for review.
  
  • Screening information, including but not limited to the common law record, medical records, mental health records, and IDOC records, should be gathered with the assistance of the Intake Paralegal and entered into case management software
  • Search for media generated around the client and/or case
  • When needed, send out questionnaires to clients to gather information
  • Conduct prison legal calls and/or visits as needed to gather more information
• Upon case denial:
  
  • Ensure that a denial letter is sent and legal call made where appropriate
  • Ensure that personal documents are returned to the client
• Upon case acceptance and attorney assignment:
  
  • Ensure that case acceptance is communicated to the client via an acceptance letter and retainer
  • Ensure that the Filevine matter and physical file are complete and can be passed to the assigned attorney, and that personal documents have been returned to the client
    

Desired Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois as of the date of employment
• One to five years of practice experience, with any experience preferably being in criminal defense law
• Commitment to criminal legal reform in Illinois and social, economic, and racial justice
• Comfortable working with a wide variety of incarcerated clients, including clients with mental illness and violent and/or sexual convictions
• Be self-driven and innovative
• The ability to work collaboratively with staff, law clerks, and interns
• Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and produce quality results
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and orally
• Proficiency using Google Suite and Microsoft, and prior experience with case management software
• Strong proofreading and detail-oriented research and writing skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to commute to IPP’s office in Chicago and occasionally travel throughout the state for prison visits as needed

Location: IPP maintains a hybrid work environment, including remote work and work from IPP’s office at 53 West Jackson Blvd in Chicago, Illinois. For this role, in-person days are expected, and regular travel to prisons throughout the state will be required. Hiring preference is given to local candidates or candidates who plan to relocate locally.

Reports to: Legal Director

Compensation: This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $89,162-$115,915 and guaranteed quarterly bonuses equivalent to $99,069-$128,795, in accordance with IPP’s payscale, which is based on experience. Full benefits include a 36-hour work week (half-day Fridays), 20 days of vacation leave, 2 additional weeks of office-wide closure for winter and summer breaks, sick/wellness leave, and 401 (k), along with health, dental, vision, long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance. IPP also makes a flat $1,000 contribution to all employee 401k accounts.

Illinois Prison Project is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Illinois Prison Project believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates are critical to our success as an organization, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse pool of candidates.

How to Apply:

• Please send via email a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three professional references, one of whom is a current or former supervisor, in a single PDF file, to hiring@illinoisprisonproject.org with “Intake Specialist” in the subject line.
• Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 1, 2026.
• Due to the large volume of applicants, we will not be able to reply to individual emails about an applicant’s status. No phone calls, please.

Join the Fight: Volunteer with Illinois Prison Project

We're launching IPP’s Volunteer Program — and we need you.

Whether you have event expertise, social media skills, or simply a passion for ending mass incarceration, there's a role for you in our work to bring people home and transform Illinois' criminal legal system.

Volunteer opportunities include:
• Assisting our Education Team with mailing out IPP resources, attending/documenting Education events and assisting with various technology needs
• Supporting released clients by assisting with reentry needs; attending in-person events to support IPP’s incarcerated clients 

• Boosting/sharing IPP’s social media content
• Hosting an online or in-person fundraiser for IPP
• Assisting our Policy Team by attending IPP Action Fund’s Lobby Days in Springfield

• And more!

No experience required — just a commitment to hope, compassion, and humanity.

Ready to make a difference? Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdY20PiSaL-wMNtQYmFKEFzJfwK61NZl2jcCe6TPvxOor38Qg/viewform

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