Policy Jobs in Illinois
Policy jobs in Illinois are concentrated in government affairs, public administration, healthcare policy, and nonprofit advocacy, with demand ranging from entry-level analyst roles to senior director positions shaping state and federal legislation. Chicago anchors the market as one of the most active policy hiring metros in the country, with Springfield and Evanston rounding out the major hubs where employers like the University of Chicago, Advocate Health Care, and the Illinois Department of Human Services maintain substantial policy teams. The most sought-after specialties include health policy, education policy, and environmental and energy policy. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Policy JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 30+ Policy jobs





This is a hybrid (3 days) on-site position in our Chicago office.
Job Summary
- Serve as a senior individual contributor reporting directly to the Executive Director, Accounting Research & Operations, acting as the authoritative technical accounting strategist for CME Group.
- Direct technical accounting research, formulate authoritative position papers, and advise business units on the financial implications of routine and non-routine corporate transactions.
- Partner cross-functionally with financial reporting, corporate accounting, and executive leadership to ensure seamless quarterly and annual SEC compliance and adoption of emerging accounting standards.
What You’ll Get
- A supportive environment fostering career progression, continuous learning, and an inclusive culture.
- Broad exposure to CME's diverse products, asset classes, and cross-functional teams.
- A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Explore our full range of benefits
What You’ll Do
- Lead technical accounting research across routine and complex transactions under authoritative U.S. GAAP.
- Formulate robust, executive-ready accounting position papers that document methodologies, technical interpretations, and final conclusions.
- Advise business units and functional leaders on accounting implications, aligning strategic initiatives with corporate financial standards.
- Evaluate the financial structure of proposed mergers, acquisitions, new products, and strategic investments submitted for Executive Leadership and Board review.
- Author and review financial statement footnote disclosures and MD&A contributions for quarterly and annual SEC filings.
- Direct technical accounting interactions with external auditors to ensure alignment and timely resolution of accounting considerations.
- Curate and modernize the internal technical accounting research repository, synthesizing new standards and authoritative guidance for firmwide accessibility.
- Monitor emerging FASB and SEC regulatory initiatives, evaluate organizational impact, and draft formal comment letters representing CME Group’s position.
- Establish, update, and maintain a comprehensive corporate accounting policy manual reflecting current regulatory standards.
- Deliver targeted educational presentations and implementation frameworks to guide cross-functional teams through technical accounting transitions.
- Champion reporting technology enhancements and process automation to elevate research workflow efficiency.
What You’ll Bring
- Hold an active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license (required).
- Bring 4+ years of progressive technical accounting, policy research, and SEC reporting experience.
- Possess a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
- Apply comprehensive knowledge of U.S. GAAP authoritative literature (working familiarity with IFRS is a plus).
- Demonstrate a proven track record of writing concise, impactful technical memorandums and executive summaries for senior leadership.
- Leverage prior accounting experience within the financial services industry or public accounting serving financial sector clients.
- Lead cross-functional change management when interpreting and operationalizing new accounting standards across diverse business units.
- Utilize advanced proficiency across productivity platforms, including Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and Microsoft Office. Navigate financial and enterprise systems effectively, with hands-on experience in Workiva (Wdesk), Workday, and SharePoint preferred.
-
#LI-DS2
#LI-Hybrid
CME Group is committed to offering a competitive total rewards package for our employees that recognizes their contributions to the business and reflects our long-term investment in their future. The pay range for this role is $119,900-$199,800. Actual salary offered will be dependent on a wide array of factors including but not limited to: relevant experience, skills, education and comparison to internal employees (where relevant). Our compensation program also includes an annual target bonus opportunity for all employees, as well as the opportunity to become an owner in the company through our broad-based equity program. Through our benefits program, we strive to offer flexibility, value and choice. From comprehensive health coverage, to a retirement package that includes both a 401(k) and an active pension plan, to highly competitive education reimbursement provisions, paid time off and a mental health benefit, CME Group offers a holistic benefits package for our team and their dependents.
CME Group: Where Futures are Made
CME Group is the world’s leading derivatives marketplace. But who we are goes deeper than that. Here, you can impact markets worldwide. Transform industries. And build a career by shaping tomorrow. We invest in your success and you own it – all while working alongside a team of leading experts who inspire you in ways big and small. Problem solvers, difference makers, trailblazers. Those are our people. And we’re looking for more.
At CME Group, we embrace our employees' unique experiences and skills to ensure that everyone’s perspectives are acknowledged and valued. As an equal-opportunity employer, we consider all potential employees without regard to any protected characteristic.
Important Notice: Recruitment fraud is on the rise, with scammers using misleading promises of job offers and interviews to solicit money and personal information from job seekers. CME Group adheres to established procedures designed to maintain trust, confidence and security throughout our recruitment process.
See All 30 Policy Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Policy JobsPolicy Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Policy Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in policy jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in public policy, public administration, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience with Illinois legislative processes or state agency operations
- Proficiency in policy research, data analysis, and drafting policy briefs or memos
- Familiarity with Illinois budget cycles, rulemaking procedures, and regulatory frameworks
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder and public engagement
- Experience collaborating with nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, or government bodies
Policy Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a policy professional in Illinois?
Most policy roles in Illinois require at minimum a bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, public administration, or a closely related field, with many mid-level and senior positions expecting a master's degree such as an MPA or MPP. There is no single state-issued license for policy work, but Illinois-specific experience matters: familiarity with the Illinois General Assembly, state agency rulemaking through the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, and relationships with state and local government bodies are consistently valued by Illinois employers.
Which companies hire policy professionals in Illinois?
Companies currently hiring policy professionals in Illinois include STAND TOGETHER, AbbVie, and Google, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's mix of major hospital systems, large universities, Fortune 500 headquarters, and active state government agencies makes it one of the more diverse policy hiring markets in the Midwest.
Which Illinois cities have the most policy jobs?
Chicago, Springfield, and North Chicago are the Illinois cities with the most policy openings. Chicago dominates due to its concentration of nonprofit organizations, corporate government affairs teams, and healthcare systems, while Springfield draws policy roles directly tied to state government and the Illinois General Assembly, and Evanston benefits from Northwestern University's research and policy institutes.
Are there remote policy jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. Policy work is largely research, writing, and stakeholder communication, which translates well to remote settings. About 89% of policy openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work can be done without a fixed office location. Roles focused on legislative tracking, policy analysis, and grant writing tend to have the highest remote availability.
How can I get hired as a policy professional in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through internships or fellowship programs with Illinois state agencies, the Chicago City Council, or nonprofit advocacy organizations, where junior analyst and program associate roles are regularly filled by recent graduates. Large Illinois employers like Advocate Health Care and the University of Illinois system run associate policy and research coordinator programs suited to candidates without direct experience. Transitioning from adjacent roles in communications, research assistance, or government relations is also common, and a strong writing portfolio or relevant capstone project significantly improves your candidacy.
Where can I find and apply to policy jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to policy jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and interests, and apply directly through the listings.
See All 30 Policy Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Policy Jobs