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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Expected pay for this position is $33.52 - $39.44/hour. Actual pay will be determined by experience, skills and internal equity. This is a Salaried position.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Mandatory in office until fully functional in position, then mandatory a minimum of 3 days a week. This position occasionally works evenings or weekends to support marketing-sponsored community events in Greater Rockford. Individual frequently works with regional and hospital leaders, providers and local media representing OSF so should have excellent executive presence.
Experience:
- 5 years’ experience in communications or a marketing setting.
- Completion of the following four independent study courses within 120 days of hire: Introduction to Incident Command System for Health Care/Hospitals (ICS-100); ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS-200); National Incident Management Systems, An Introduction (IS-700); and National Response Frameworks, An Introduction (IS-800).
Other skills/knowledge:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Solid computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft software. Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to be detail oriented. Proactive approach to relationship management, and ability to communicate complex issues to employees.
- This includes internships, extracurricular activities, and community volunteerism.
- Ability to work well under pressure and to manage multiple projects at once.
- Must be flexible and adaptable to unexpected changes. Analytical skills necessary in order to determine what type and amount of information can be released to media.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience: N/A
OSF HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Expected pay for this position is $33.52 - $39.44/hour. Actual pay will be determined by experience, skills and internal equity. This is a Salaried position.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Mandatory in office until fully functional in position, then mandatory a minimum of 3 days a week. This position occasionally works evenings or weekends to support marketing-sponsored community events in Greater Rockford. Individual frequently works with regional and hospital leaders, providers and local media representing OSF so should have excellent executive presence.
Experience:
- 5 years’ experience in communications or a marketing setting.
- Completion of the following four independent study courses within 120 days of hire: Introduction to Incident Command System for Health Care/Hospitals (ICS-100); ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS-200); National Incident Management Systems, An Introduction (IS-700); and National Response Frameworks, An Introduction (IS-800).
Other skills/knowledge:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Solid computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft software. Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to be detail oriented. Proactive approach to relationship management, and ability to communicate complex issues to employees.
- This includes internships, extracurricular activities, and community volunteerism.
- Ability to work well under pressure and to manage multiple projects at once.
- Must be flexible and adaptable to unexpected changes. Analytical skills necessary in order to determine what type and amount of information can be released to media.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience: N/A
OSF HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See All 12 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 September 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, Urbana, and Decatur 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 63% of public relations openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 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 12 Public Relations Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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