Program Assistant Jobs in Illinois

Program assistant jobs in Illinois concentrate in higher education, nonprofit services, healthcare administration, and government agencies, with demand at every level from entry-level coordinators to senior program support specialists. Chicago anchors the market as one of the most active hiring metros in the Midwest, with Springfield and Evanston also generating consistent openings, and large institutions like the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the Illinois Department of Human Services among the most established employers in this space. The most in-demand specialties include grant administration, community outreach coordination, and social services program support. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles74
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring43
Work type89% On-site
Top industryEducation
Companies hiring56

Showing 5 of 74+ Program Assistant jobs

Community Unit School District 200
Before and After School Program Assistant
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Community Unit School District 200
New 20h ago
Before and After School Program Assistant
Community Unit School District 200
Warrenville, Illinois
Administrative & Office Support
Program Management
Project Management
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Community Consolidated School District 15
Program Assistant (Part-Time)
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Community Consolidated School District 15
New 21h ago
Program Assistant (Part-Time)
Community Consolidated School District 15
Palatine, Illinois
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
Substitute Teaching Certification
1,001-5,000

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Argonne National Laboratory
CELS Student Program Assistant
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Argonne National Laboratory
Added 1d ago
CELS Student Program Assistant
Argonne National Laboratory
Lemont, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$20.78 - $32.41/hr
High school diploma or GED
1-1

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Southern Seven Health Department
Program Assistant
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Southern Seven Health Department
Added 1d ago
Program Assistant
Southern Seven Health Department
Elizabethtown, Illinois
Curriculum Design
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$15.39 - $16.97/hr
CPR Certification

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Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Program Assistant, Magoon Institute
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Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Added 1d ago
Program Assistant, Magoon Institute
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Streeterville, Illinois
Brand Marketing
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$19.5 - $30.23/hr
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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See All 74 Program Assistant Jobs in Illinois

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

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Program Assistant Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
13 jobs
Palatine
6 jobs
Wheaton
3 jobs
Waukegan
3 jobs
Downers Grove
3 jobs
Rolling Meadows
3 jobs
DeKalb
2 jobs
Bellwood
2 jobs
Elmhurst
2 jobs

Program Assistant Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

Community Consolidated School District 15
Community Consolidated School District 159 open roles
Midwestern University
Midwestern University3 open roles
Triton College
Triton College2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in program assistant jobs across Illinois.

  • Associate or bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, or a related field
  • Experience coordinating program logistics, scheduling, and participant communications
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data entry or database management tools
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for reporting and stakeholder correspondence
  • Ability to manage multiple deadlines and support program budgets or grant tracking
  • Familiarity with Illinois state agency workflows, nonprofit compliance, or higher education administration

Program Assistant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a program assistant in Illinois?

Most program assistant roles in Illinois require at minimum an associate degree, though a bachelor's in public administration, social work, human services, or a related field is increasingly expected by larger employers such as state agencies and universities. No state-issued license is required for the general role, but positions in healthcare or social services settings may require Illinois-specific background clearances through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services or IDPH. Building experience through internships at Illinois nonprofits or university offices is the most direct path.

Which companies hire program assistants in Illinois?

Companies currently hiring program assistants in Illinois include Community Consolidated School District 15, Midwestern University, and Triton College, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of universities, hospital systems, and state government agencies means program assistant hiring is distributed across a wide range of institutional employers rather than any single industry.

Which Illinois cities have the most program assistant jobs?

The Illinois cities with the most program assistant openings are Chicago, Palatine, and Wheaton. Chicago dominates due to its concentration of major universities, nonprofit headquarters, and state and federal agency offices, while Springfield's government hub drives demand there, and smaller metros like Evanston and Champaign benefit from large anchor institutions such as Northwestern University and the University of Illinois.

Are there remote program assistant jobs in Illinois?

Yes, though availability varies by employer and function. About 11% of program assistant openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting that the role often blends desk-based coordination with in-person program delivery. Administrative and grant-support tasks are most likely to appear in remote or hybrid arrangements, while roles requiring direct participant contact or on-site program oversight are typically in-person.

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

The most realistic entry path is applying to program coordinator or administrative support openings at Illinois nonprofits or state agencies, where entry-level titles like program aide or program support associate serve as launching points. Large Illinois employers such as the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and major university systems run work-study and fellowship programs for new graduates. Adjacent roles in data entry, case management support, or office administration at Illinois human services organizations provide transferable experience, and earning a certification in project coordination strengthens early applications considerably.

Where can I find and apply to program assistant jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to program assistant jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, experience level, and preferred location within the state, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 74 Program Assistant Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Program Assistant Jobs