Chief Public Safety Legal Counsel

Kelly Presley | Chief Public Safety Legal Counsel

Kelly Presley has dedicated her entire legal career to public service. After graduating from The John Marshall Law School in 2007, Kelly began working at the Office of Cook County Public Guardian where she represented and advocated for abused and neglected children. In 2013, she transitioned to serve as Regional Counsel for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. In this role, she continued her advocacy for programs and services that allow families to safely reunite. In 2016, Kelly joined the Illinois Department of Corrections as the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel. In this role, Kelly managed several class actions, served as liaison with the Attorney General’s Office, and temporarily served as the agency Ethics Officer. Kelly now serves as the Chief Public Safety Legal Counsel for the Illinois Department of Corrections. In this new role, Kelly will continue to manage the Department’s compliance with class action litigation. She will also oversee the agency’s Office of Affirmative Action.