Public Relations Jobs in Illinois
Public relations jobs in Illinois are highly active, with strong demand pulling talent into corporate communications, agency work, nonprofit advocacy, and public-sector roles at every level from entry-level coordinator through senior vice president. Chicago anchors the market and houses the state's deepest concentration of openings, while Evanston and Springfield contribute meaningful volume through universities, government agencies, and regional nonprofits. Well-established employers including Edelman, United Airlines, and the University of Chicago maintain consistent public relations teams in Illinois. Media relations, crisis communications, and digital content strategy are the specialties drawing the most consistent interest from Illinois hiring managers. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Public Relations jobs
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Position Type:
Administration/Director
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Date Posted:
10/8/2026
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Location:
West Chicago Elementary School District 33
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Date Available:
07/01/2027
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Closing Date:
Open until Filled
District 33 Mission: Equip students to become life-long learners who embrace diversity, welcome innovation, and aspire to be catalysts for positive change and growth.
District 33 Vision:
- To be recognized as the school district that fosters:
- An innovative, rigorous & future-oriented education
- A culture of equity, diversity & personalized learning
- Student agency to develop voice, choice, ownership & self-sufficiency
- Active community partnerships
District 33 Core Values:
- Collaboration
- Partnerships
- Equity
- Student voice & choice
- High expectations
- Support for the whole child
- High levels of engagement
- Trusting relationships
Position Goal: The Director/Assistant Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations is primarily responsible for building and communicating a unified brand for the District that highlights its positive accomplishments and its public perception. This position will support the District's strategic plan through increasing public awareness of issues, trends, and resources with regard to the District as well as raise public and employee awareness of events, programs, services and goals of the District. Additionally, the person in this position will provide leadership in advising and making recommendations of appropriate communication strategies to the Superintendent.
Position Qualifications In Addition to Those on the Job Description:
- Marketing, Communications, and PR experience in a school district preferred
- Ability to think strategically as it pertains to the position and district
- Bilingual in Spanish preferred
- Commitment to minimally 5 years in this position
Administrator Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Board paid 70% PPO and 80% HMO)
- Free life insurance equal to base salary
- Retirement plan options
- Board Paid TRS
- Paid Time Off
- $500 towards professional dues/memberships
Work Schedule: 12 Months, Full Time
Starting Salary Range: $115,065-$144,596 + Board Paid TRS, based on experience (This position will be an Assistant Director or Director level, dependent on experience and education)
Further Information on District 33:
West Chicago Elementary School District 33 is a Pre-K through 8th grade system with a Birth to 3 program, Preschool, five elementary schools, and one 6/7/8 middle school. West Chicago Elementary School District 33's population reflects the diverse demographics of West Chicago and portions of Winfield and Wheaton, from which it draws its student enrollment. The overall student population is approximately 3,000. Of that number, approximately 81.1% of the students come from Hispanic origins, 12.3% White, 3.2% Asian/Pacific Islander and 3.2% Black.
The Mission of West Chicago Elementary School District 33 is to equip students to become life-long learners who embrace diversity, welcome innovation, and aspire to be catalysts for positive change and growth. Our vision is to be recognized as a school district that fosters:
- An innovative, rigorous & future-oriented education
- A culture of equity, diversity & personalized learning
- Student agency to develop voice, choice, ownership & self-sufficiency
- Active community partnerships
-
Position Type:
-
Position Type:
Administration/Director
-
Date Posted:
10/8/2026
-
Location:
West Chicago Elementary School District 33
-
Date Available:
07/01/2027
-
Closing Date:
Open until Filled
District 33 Mission: Equip students to become life-long learners who embrace diversity, welcome innovation, and aspire to be catalysts for positive change and growth.
District 33 Vision:
- To be recognized as the school district that fosters:
- An innovative, rigorous & future-oriented education
- A culture of equity, diversity & personalized learning
- Student agency to develop voice, choice, ownership & self-sufficiency
- Active community partnerships
District 33 Core Values:
- Collaboration
- Partnerships
- Equity
- Student voice & choice
- High expectations
- Support for the whole child
- High levels of engagement
- Trusting relationships
Position Goal: The Director/Assistant Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations is primarily responsible for building and communicating a unified brand for the District that highlights its positive accomplishments and its public perception. This position will support the District's strategic plan through increasing public awareness of issues, trends, and resources with regard to the District as well as raise public and employee awareness of events, programs, services and goals of the District. Additionally, the person in this position will provide leadership in advising and making recommendations of appropriate communication strategies to the Superintendent.
Position Qualifications In Addition to Those on the Job Description:
- Marketing, Communications, and PR experience in a school district preferred
- Ability to think strategically as it pertains to the position and district
- Bilingual in Spanish preferred
- Commitment to minimally 5 years in this position
Administrator Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Board paid 70% PPO and 80% HMO)
- Free life insurance equal to base salary
- Retirement plan options
- Board Paid TRS
- Paid Time Off
- $500 towards professional dues/memberships
Work Schedule: 12 Months, Full Time
Starting Salary Range: $115,065-$144,596 + Board Paid TRS, based on experience (This position will be an Assistant Director or Director level, dependent on experience and education)
Further Information on District 33:
West Chicago Elementary School District 33 is a Pre-K through 8th grade system with a Birth to 3 program, Preschool, five elementary schools, and one 6/7/8 middle school. West Chicago Elementary School District 33's population reflects the diverse demographics of West Chicago and portions of Winfield and Wheaton, from which it draws its student enrollment. The overall student population is approximately 3,000. Of that number, approximately 81.1% of the students come from Hispanic origins, 12.3% White, 3.2% Asian/Pacific Islander and 3.2% Black.
The Mission of West Chicago Elementary School District 33 is to equip students to become life-long learners who embrace diversity, welcome innovation, and aspire to be catalysts for positive change and growth. Our vision is to be recognized as a school district that fosters:
- An innovative, rigorous & future-oriented education
- A culture of equity, diversity & personalized learning
- Student agency to develop voice, choice, ownership & self-sufficiency
- Active community partnerships
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Position Type:
See All 18 Public Relations Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Public Relations JobsPublic Relations Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Public Relations Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Sports & Recreation
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in public relations jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience writing press releases, pitches, and media materials for real audiences
- Established relationships with Illinois and national media contacts across print, broadcast, and digital
- Proficiency with media monitoring platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, or similar tools
- Experience managing communications across social media channels with measurable results
- Accreditation in Public Relations credential (APR) preferred for senior and agency roles
Public Relations Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a public relations professional in Illinois?
Public relations does not require a state-issued license in Illinois, so entry is driven by education and portfolio. Most Illinois employers expect a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or journalism from an accredited program. The Public Relations Society of America offers the Accreditation in Public Relations credential, which carries real weight at Chicago agencies and large corporate communications departments. Building a portfolio of press releases, campaign results, and media placements while in school or through internships is the most direct path.
How much do public relationses make in Illinois?
Public relationses in Illinois earn a median of about $76,380 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $47,690 for the lowest 10% to over $139,570 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire public relations professionals in Illinois?
Employers hiring public relations professionals in Illinois right now include Highwire, Ecm Enterprises, and Abbott, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's concentration of global headquarters, major healthcare systems, and large public agencies means consistent demand from both in-house corporate teams and independent communications agencies headquartered in Chicago.
Which Illinois cities have the most public relations jobs?
Chicago, Skokie, and Urbana have the most public relations openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to global agency offices, Fortune 500 headquarters, and a dense nonprofit sector, while Evanston and Springfield draw consistent openings through Northwestern University, state government communications offices, and regional advocacy organizations.
Are there remote public relations jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 82% of public relations openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves writing, media outreach, and digital strategy that translates well to distributed teams. Media monitoring, content development, and social media management roles are the most consistently remote, while crisis communications and executive support roles tend to require proximity to the employer.
How can I get hired as a public relations professional in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or entry-level coordinator role at a Chicago agency or a large Illinois institution's communications department. Organizations like Rush University Medical Center, the City of Chicago's Office of Communications, and mid-size Loop-area agencies regularly bring on junior staff and recent graduates. Adjacent roles in social media coordination, marketing assistant, or editorial assistant positions at Illinois media companies also open doors. Completing the Public Relations Society of America's student membership program and building a clips portfolio before applying gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to public relations jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to public relations jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to Illinois employers. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your experience and location, and apply directly. No signup is needed to see the openings.
See All 18 Public Relations Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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