Craig Colbrook Email & Phone Number

Springfield, Illinois Metropolitan Area

Leland Grove, Il

I preside over the Village’s monthly administrative hearing docket, helping the village enforce its code of ordinances.

Springfield, Illinois Area

I am legal counsel for labor and employment law matters for Illinois State Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza. I also draft legislation, administrative rules, policies, procedures, and executive orders.• In 2019, I drafted an executive order that created a new mechanism to enforce the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. • I now manage that enforcement mechanism, working with labor unions, state vendors, and other state agencies to make sure that no state money goes to a project or contractor that violates the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.• In 2021, I drafted two bills that became law through my work with the General Assembly.• I manage the appointments process for the Comptroller’s nominees to various state offices.• In 2020, I helped draft the legal strategy for how the Illinois Office of Comptroller could manage its employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Springfield, Illinois Area

I litigated a wide variety of claims, especially involving government agencies. When I succeeded, it was by doing three things: 1) talking to my clients constantly to understand their actual goals and to advise them what to expect; 2) working with opposing counsels to understand the pressures they were under; 3) trying to find solutions that everyone could live with.• I represented school districts as they dealt with labor issues, special education issues, and procurement issues.• I successfully represented clients in front of many stage agencies, including the Department of Employment Security, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Illinois Department of Public Health.• I represented units of local government as they navigated state and federal reporting and funding programs.• I represented clients in front of the court-appointed Special Master investigating hiring at the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Springfield, Illinois

Governmental representation, especially as a Deputy General Counsel, is something like an all-you-can-eat buffet. There's no end of different tasks that need to be done, and you have some latitude in determining what projects you want to focus on. • I managed and prosecuted the weekly administrative hearings docket, litigating claims involving the Department’s regulations on weights and measures, fuel standards, animal control, and other aspects of agriculture.• I litigated a dispute between two Illinois State Fair goat show contestants.• I managed the contract approval process for anyone who wanted to use venues owned by the Department, including the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Springfield, Il

Again, there was no end to the tasks that needed to be done. I worked closely with law enforcement to enforce the Department’s oil and gas, hunting, and animal control regulations.• I helped manage the Department’s response to over 30,000 public comments related to its hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) program.• I successfully led the Department’s response to a wrongful death claim involving a conservation police officer.• I successfully managed the Department’s emergency operation to remove a capsized, leaking boat from state waterways.I also learned about Illinois' seedy black market for turtles, but that story needs a little more room to breathe. Feel free to ask me about it!

Springfield, Illinois Area

I managed a very large case load of workers compensation claims.• I successfully litigated a brain damage claim worth over $1 million.• I successfully defended my client in a spinal injury claim worth over $500,000.• I learned (often the hard way) to become adept at client management and how to be comfortable in the courtroom.

Well, this is the one every likes to ask about. There was a lot of mundane campaign work; it's not like I wrote his speeches or anything. I organized and administrated a voter outreach program that reached approximately 30,000 voters. I also helped organize a voter registration drive that registered over 10,000 students to vote. I also organized campaign events and drafted press releases.Yes, he used to know my name. But I assume he doesn't now. He once made fun of my beard, though.

J.D., Law

Activities and Societies: Phi Alpha Delta, Mock Trial Team, Journal of Sports Law and Contemporary ProblemsI extensively studied public.

Bachelor'S, Journalism

Activities and Societies: Daily Illini newspaper, College Democrats, Spicy Clamato Improvisational Comedy GroupI studied journalism.