Boasting one of the most diverse economies in the nation and certainly one of the strongest, Illinois has become a beacon for outstanding opportunities in the paralegal profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 13,320 paralegal jobs in Illinois, which ranked it fifth in the nation for its employment level of these legal support pros.
The state is strategically located near several major cities in other states, including Jackson, Missouri, and St. Louis, Missouri. Shipping and related industries abound in the Great Lakes region, and Chicago has a rich political environment where paralegal skills are an asset. Archer Daniels Midland, Boeing, Walgreen, State Farm Insurance, Caterpillar, Kraft Foods, Abbott Industries, United Continental Holdings, All State Insurance, Deere, Sears Holdings, United Continental Holdings and McDonald’s are only a few of the Fortune 500 companies found here.
As of May 2020, the average hourly wage for paralegals in Illinois is $29.03 per hour, which works out to $60,390 a year. The top-paid paralegals in this state (top 10%) earned about $85,350 during this time.
Paralegal Certification
Illinois does not have a mandatory certification program. Although bills have been written to that would require certification for Legal Document Preparers, so far they have been defeated.
Where to Earn Your Paralegal Certificate or Degree in Illinois
Paralegal Certificates
College of Lake County
The College of Lake County is a community college with a main campus in Grayslake, north of Chicago, and a number of satellite campuses and extension sites. Its paralegal studies certificate program requires 30 credits and is open only to those who already have an associate or bachelor’s degree. Students can select from a wide range of electives, allowing them to study areas of law that interest them, and can take part in internships that provide them with real-world experience.
- Estimated Program Cost: $2,760 for district residents; $7,200 for out-of-district state residents; $9,705 for out-of-state students (based on fall 2013 per credit hour tuition)
- Prerequisites: Associate or bachelor’s degree
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus or hybrid online/on-campus
Sample required courses:
- Interviewing practices
- Drafting Legal Documents
- Litigation
Kankakee Community College
Located south of Chicago, Kanakee Community College offers an Advanced Certificate in paralegal/legal assistant studies for students who already have a bachelor’s degree. It requires 36 credit hours, including an internship. Since the majority of students are already working full time in law environments, this course of study is comprised almost entirely of paralegal courses.
- Estimated Program Cost*: $4,212 (based on 2013-2014 per credit hour tuition and fees)
- Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus
Paralegal Associate Degrees
College of DuPage
A community college in Glen Ellyn, the College of DuPage offers an Associate in Applied Science in paralegal studies that entails 67 to 70 credit hours including general education and paralegal courses, as well as a practicum under the supervision of an attorney. Students gain a working knowledge of the law, while developing research, writing and communications skills that allow them to work effectively in law offices, as well as in corporations, real estate firms, banking, insurance, the medical field and other areas in which there is a growing need for paralegal skills.
- Estimated Program Cost: $9,380 for residents of District 502; $4,690 for senior citizen residents of District 502; $21,909 for Illinois residents outside of District 5012; $26,599 for out-of-state students (based on fall 2013 per credit tuition)
- Prerequisites: Admissions is open to those who have a high school diploma or GED or have completed a state approved home-school program, as well as anyone at least 18 years of age who can benefit from college-level instruction.
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus
Sample required courses:
- Civil Litigation
- Advanced Legal Research & Writing
- Drafting Legal Documents
- Environmental Law
- Intellectual Property Law
Northwestern College (formerly Northwestern Business College)
Northwestern College is a two-year business and career college with a unique outlook on education: instead of providing education that helps students find a job, this school offers specific education for specific career paths, a focus that colors its paralegal Associate in Applied Science program. This program requires 100 credit hours that give students a general education foundation and the legal knowledge necessary to work as paralegals after graduation.
- Estimated Program Cost: $44,500 (based on 2013 per credit tuition)
- Prerequisites: High school diploma, GED or completion of an approved home-school program; ACT score of at least 15, SAT score of at least 740 or qualifying placement exam score (if ACT or SAT scores aren’t available); keyboarding efficiency of at least 35 words per minute
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus or hybrid on campus/online
Sample required courses:
- Civil Litigation and Procedure
- Legal Research and Writing
- Real Estate Law
- Introduction to Legal Research
Paralegal Bachelor’s Degrees
Illinois State University
Located in Normal, Illinois, Illinois State is a four-year public institution founded in 1857, making it the first public university in the state. Its major in legal studies, offered for the first time in fall 2014, requires 120 credit hours and allows students to benefit from small class sizes and internship opportunities.
- Estimated Program Cost: $41,040 for state residents; $70,800 for out-of-state students (based on fall 2015 per credit tuition)
- Requirements: High school diploma or GED and SAT/ACT scores; once admitted, students must pass the university’s Introduction to Law for Paralegals course with a B or higher and formally apply to the paralegal program.
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus
Sample required courses:
- Investigative Techniques & Evidence
- Political Science Professional Development
- Probate Law
- Domestic Relations & Family Law
Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University is an independent, non-profit institution with campuses in Chicago and Schaumburg. Its Paralegal Studies Program has an excellent reputation in the local legal community and nationwide. Students can choose from several bachelor’s degree options, including a four-year, 120 credit Bachelor of Arts in paralegal studies, and a Bachelor of Professional Studies with a major in paralegal studies. They can also benefit from career counseling and job placement, as well as lifetime access to a job board.
- Estimated Program Cost: $106,000 (based on 2013-2014 tuition and fees)
- Requirements: High school diploma or GED, ACT/SAT scores or RUA (Roosevelt University Assessment)
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus
Additional Paralegal Programs
Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Degree Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
MacCormac College
Chicago, IL
Degree Offered: Associate degree
Robert Morris University – Illinois (Chicago, Orland Park and Springfield Campuses)
Chicago, IL; Orland Park, IL; Springfield,IL
Degree offered: Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
Rockford Career College (formerly Rockford Business College)
Rockford, IL
Degree offered: Associate in Applied Science
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science
Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science
William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, IL
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Certificate for individuals who possess a bachelor’s or associate degree
Professional Organizations
- The Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA) promotes the paralegal profession and communication between members, the legal community and civic and professional organizations. It also informs members of developments in the paralegal profession and provides for and encourages continuing education.
- The Central Illinois Paralegal Association (CIPA) hosts monthly meetings where paralegals from different specialties can network and keep abreast of events and changes in their various sectors. It also holds an annual continuing education seminar.
- The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) is comprised of paralegal associations across the nation. The NFPA website is a good starting place for those thinking of becoming paralegals as it contains a wealth of information about the profession.
2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and job market trends for paralegals reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2022.