Counselor Jobs in Illinois

Counselor jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, Springfield, and Rockford, where large employer networks like Advocate Health Care, Lurie Children's Hospital, and the Illinois Department of Human Services maintain consistent hiring pipelines. The most in-demand specialties include school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and mental health counseling, with openings at every level from entry-level case managers to licensed clinical supervisors. Illinois is one of the more active markets in the Midwest for counseling roles, reflecting ongoing investment in behavioral health and school-based services. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles143+
Top employerTrilogy Behavioral Healthcare
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring57
Work type64% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 143+ Counselor jobs

Centerstone
Counselor 2
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Centerstone
New 7h ago
Counselor 2
Centerstone
Alton, Illinois
Allied Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$48k - $68k/yr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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J
CADC---Addiction Counselor
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J
New 8h ago
CADC---Addiction Counselor
JEM Treatment, Inc
Waukegan, Illinois
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$23 - $25.5/hr

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J
Addiction Counselor (CADC)
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J
New 10h ago
Addiction Counselor (CADC)
JEM Treatment, Inc
Waukegan, Illinois
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing

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PEER Services, Inc.
Recovery Counselor
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PEER Services, Inc.
New 12h ago
Recovery Counselor
PEER Services, Inc.
Evanston, Illinois
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling

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URBAN POOCH CANINE LIFE CENTER
Doggie Daycare Counselor
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URBAN POOCH CANINE LIFE CENTER
New 15h ago
Doggie Daycare Counselor
URBAN POOCH CANINE LIFE CENTER
Chicago, Illinois
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$17 - $18/hr
On-Site
11-50

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See All 143+ Counselor Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Counselor Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Rockford
5 jobs
Waukegan
5 jobs
Champaign
5 jobs
Springfield
5 jobs
Peoria
4 jobs
Aurora
3 jobs
Evanston
3 jobs
Jacksonville
3 jobs

Counselor Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare
    Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare13
  • Gateway Foundation
    Gateway Foundation12
  • Alpharus Health
    Alpharus Health4
  • Magellan Health
    Magellan Health4
  • Brave Health
    Brave Health3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in counselor jobs across Illinois.

  • Active Illinois Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor credential required
  • Master's degree in counseling, social work, or a closely related field
  • Experience with evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as CBT or motivational interviewing
  • Proficiency with electronic health record systems used in clinical or school settings
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for documentation and interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with Illinois HIPAA and DCFS reporting requirements

Counselor Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a counselor in Illinois?

To become a counselor in Illinois, you must earn a master's degree in counseling or a related field and then obtain licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which issues the Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor credentials. The process includes completing supervised clinical hours and passing the National Counselor Examination. School counselors must additionally hold an Illinois Educator License with a School Counselor endorsement issued by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Which companies hire counselors in Illinois?

Companies currently hiring counselors in Illinois include Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Gateway Foundation, and Alpharus Health, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems, community mental health centers, and the state's extensive public school network collectively make it one of the more consistent hiring markets for counseling professionals in the Midwest.

Which Illinois cities have the most counselor jobs?

Chicago, Rockford, and Waukegan lead Illinois in counselor openings. Chicago dominates because of its concentration of hospital systems, community mental health agencies, and Chicago Public Schools, while Springfield and Rockford generate steady demand through state government behavioral health programs, regional medical centers, and expanding school district counseling mandates that have increased headcount across those metros in recent years.

Are there remote counselor jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields because many counseling roles involve in-person sessions, school presence, or hands-on crisis response. About 36% of counselor openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with telehealth counseling and some employee assistance program roles being the segments most likely to offer fully remote arrangements.

How can I get hired as a counselor in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for a counselor intern or case manager role while completing your supervised clinical hours toward Illinois licensure. Large Illinois employers such as Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Thresholds, and the Chicago Public Schools system regularly bring on pre-licensed counselors who are working toward their LPC under supervision. Holding a provisional Licensed Professional Counselor credential from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation signals readiness to employers and opens doors that require licensure in progress rather than full licensure.

Where can I find and apply to counselor jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to counselor jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Illinois employers across clinical, school, and community settings. Search the listings for roles that match your license status, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the positions that fit.

See All 143+ Counselor Jobs in Illinois

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