The Attorney General is the legal advisor and counsel to the Department. He shall assign to the Department the number of assistant attorneys general authorized by law and necessary to render effective legal advice and counsel. The Attorney General shall designate an assistant attorney general as counsel to the Department. The counsel to the Department shall have no duty other than to render legal advice and counsel as required by the Secretary and other officials of the Department, and to supervise other assistant attorneys general assigned to the Department. The counsel shall perform these duties subject to the control and supervision of the Attorney General. When the Attorney General has designated the counsel to the Department, he may not reassign him without consulting the Secretary. The counsel and other assistant attorneys general shall receive the salary provided in the State budget.