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Governor: Illinois HFS, DCFS and Department of Aging directors stepping down at the end of 2023

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* Press release…

Today Governor JB Pritzker announced several upcoming transitions in state agency leadership. Theresa Eagleson, Director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), will step down at the end of 2023. The Governor has appointed Lizzy Whitehorn, who currently serves as First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services, to serve as Director of HFS beginning January 1, 2024, pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate. The Governor also announced the upcoming transitions, also at the end of the calendar year, of Paula Basta, Director of the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA), and Marc D. Smith, Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Finally, the Governor announced the appointment of Camile Lindsay as Acting Director of Professional Regulation at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), pending confirmation. Lindsay is currently serving as First Assistant Deputy Governor for Public Safety, Infrastructure, Environment and Energy.

“Theresa, Paula, and Marc reflect the best of state government—people who have sacrificed to help millions of constituents through their dedication to service,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Despite the excellent quality of the candidates who will fill their shoes, their full impact on state government can never truly be articulated or replicated, and I thank them for their years of service. Lizzy and Camile’s years of service in my office have shown their passion for what they do, and I’m glad they will continue to have an opportunity to do this important work at an even higher level.”

Eagleson has served as Director of HFS since January of 2019. Prior to that appointment, Eagleson was the state’s longest serving Medicaid director, as well as the Executive Director of the University of Illinois’ System Office of Medicaid Innovation. Under Eagleson’s leadership, HFS has implemented numerous initiatives aimed at reducing disparities and creating a more equitable healthcare delivery system and child support services program and expanding behavioral and reproductive healthcare. She and the HFS team initiated and implemented a first-in-the-nation, equity-driven Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives program to incentivize health providers of all kinds and community-based organizations to partner in new ways to provide better care in historically underserved communities across the state. Together with DCFS, HFS successfully launched Youthcare, a managed care program specifically designed for youth in care. HFS also implemented new assessments for Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and other provider assessments, making the Illinois Medicaid program less dependent on state general funds, and implemented nation-leading nursing home rate reform to improve care for 45,000 residents in Illinois nursing homes.

“Serving the people of Illinois, especially the millions of customers within the Medicaid program, from newborns to seniors, drives me every day,” Eagleson said. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead this wonderful team of professionals at HFS, and I am grateful to Gov. Pritzker for giving us the opportunity to create transformational change within the larger healthcare landscape in this state, especially for nursing home residents. I will always treasure these 30 years spent serving the state of Illinois.”
Basta, who is retiring at the end of 2023, was appointed Director of IDoA in March of 2019. Prior to joining IDoA, Basta served as the Director of Senior Services and Health Initiatives at the Chicago Housing Authority, where she oversaw social services for 54 senior buildings and 10,000 seniors throughout Chicago. During her tenure at IDoA, Basta guided Illinois’ network of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Care Coordination Units, and aging services providers through the COVID-19 public health emergency, ensuring continuity of services to older adults who are a population group at high risk of COVID-19 complications. Basta also helped to launch new programming to support older adults’ health, independence and well-being during and beyond the public health emergency, such as the Illinois Care Connections program to combat social isolation, emergency gap filling services, and the expansion of nutrition programs in partnership with locally owned restaurants.

“It has been a privilege to serve Governor Pritzker’s administration as Director of the Illinois Department on Aging,” said Basta. “As the agency celebrates its 50th anniversary this fall, I am optimistic about the direction it’s headed, and I am endlessly grateful to our staff and partner organizations for their ongoing efforts to meet the needs of older adults.”

Smith was appointed Director of DCFS in April 2019. Prior to his appointment, Smith served as the executive vice president of foster care and intact services at Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness, Illinois’ largest provider of services to families in crisis, since 2009. During his tenure, DCFS created a capital program investing in youth service providers and sought federal opportunities for funding, grew the agency budget to stable levels after years of disinvestment, and increased transparency and accountability to the public. Under Smith’s direction, DCFS also prioritized technology upgrades to a 30-year-old infrastructure enabling new operational efficiencies, grew funding for youth scholarships, and increased staffing to the highest levels the agency has seen in 15 years.

“When I joined this administration in 2019, my mission was clear. Build a child welfare system in Illinois that keeps kids safe and supports families in crisis,” said Smith. “As someone who has spent my entire career committed to improving the child welfare system – I am incredibly proud of the profound progress we have made. DCFS continues making a difference where it matters most – by keeping children safe, creating brighter futures for the youth in our care, and giving hope to families in crisis that need support. We are on our way to building a child welfare system in Illinois that will once again serve as a national model. The governor and his administration have been incredible partners. Together we confronted the longstanding challenges at DCFS head-on, with both optimism and pragmatism, so we can help families and children thrive. I am profoundly proud to have had the opportunity to lead and work alongside the amazing team of professionals at DCFS that have dedicated their lives to protecting and supporting our most vulnerable children.”

Whitehorn has served as First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services since 2019. Alongside Deputy Governor Sol Flores, Whitehorn led the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including testing and vaccine efforts and the nation-leading rental assistance and childcare restoration grant programs. From the Governor’s Office, she spearheaded the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative, a collaborative approach among six state agencies to improve services, resources, and outcomes for youth with significant behavioral health needs. Over the last five years, Whitehorn has worked closely on the administration’s healthcare initiatives, including legislation to authorize a state-based healthcare exchange, increased access to healthcare services, and expanded programs supporting reproductive healthcare, as well as efforts to strengthen the state’s early childhood system. Whitehorn is a committed public servant, who previously served as Deputy Director in the Department of Central Management Services and Associate General Counsel in the Governor’s Office.

“Over the last four and a half years, I’ve worked closely with the health and human service agencies and seen firsthand the results of interagency cooperation and coordination—a system that works better those we serve,” said Whitehorn. “I’m honored to continue this work at HFS to increase access to affordable and equitable healthcare and support the millions of Illinoisans who rely on our Medicaid system every day.”
Camile Lindsay currently serves as First Assistant Deputy Governor for Public Safety, Infrastructure, Environment and Energy. Lindsay was responsible for overseeing several Illinois state agencies, including the Department of Transportation, State Police, Department of Corrections, Emergency Management Agency, and the Capital Development Board. Prior to joining the Governor’s office, Lindsay served as Chief of Staff and Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Department of Corrections. Earlier in her career, she worked as Supervisory Regional Counsel for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Assistant Attorney General for the Illinois Attorney General’s office, and Assistant State’s Attorney for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

“Professional licensing serves as the economic backbone in Illinois, with more than 1.2 million individuals counting on IDFPR for the means to verify they’re qualified to work in their chosen field,” said Director of Professional Regulation Camile Lindsay. “I look forward to building upon the successes achieved at IDFPR to ensure the people of Illinois continue to receive the quality service they need from licensed professionals.”

Over the next several months, a national search will be conducted to find a new Director of IDoA and Director of DCFS.

…Adding… IARF President Josh Evans…

“Throughout her tenure leading the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Director Eagleson collaborated with sister state agencies involved in the regulating and provision of social safety net services, including to persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses.”

“Even through the tremendously challenging months of the COVID-19 pandemic, which required constant engagement with healthcare and social safety net providers and the federal government, Director Eagleson worked to advance necessary Medicaid policies and rate changes to strengthen and support the disability and behavioral health service arrays, including unprecedented increased investments in Medicaid mental health funding.”

“Under Director Eagleson, HFS expanded access to Medicaid telemedicine services and we expect further work in this area. Illinois’ commitment to implementing and expanding Certified Community Behavioral Health Center models of providing behavioral health care is a credit to the Director’s leadership.”

“IARF thanks Director Eagleson for her public service. Further, we congratulate Lizzy Whitehorn, First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services, on being named HFS Director this coming January. We look forward to working with Ms. Whitehorn to further advance shared priorities in ensuring high quality I/DD and behavioral health services and supports.”

posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:09 pm

Comments

Theresa was an exceptional agency director and Illinois was lucky to have her. She led remarkable change and stabilized that agency. Those of us who had the pleasure to work with her will miss her.

Comment by Southern Skeptic Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:15 pm
Man, a LOT of Medicaid knowledge has left IL government in the last few years.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:21 pm
Okay at this point I’m kinda wondering if folks are leaving a sinking ship. I am beginning to wonder if the social services are going to go through some terrible trouble on the federal level which will impact the state. Am I just being paranoid?

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:26 pm
===Am I just being paranoid?===

I don’t think you are. Something’s underfoot that’s not being communicated. I also wonder if these directors were asked to “transition” or if it’s coming from them alone. But three at the same time is no coincidence.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:34 pm
Yeah Honeybear, you’re being paranoid. These are people who have worked some of the most stressful jobs in state government for five years. There’s a reason people don’t work these jobs for that long, it’s because they burn out. Unless you’ve worked at the top and have these jobs you have no idea what it’s like and the sacrifices these workers make to do the work they do with little to no thanks and continuous political/press pushback from people who know very little about the work they do. Thank you to each of them for their service.

Comment by lol Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:35 pm
Actually lol, we frontline workers know exactly what those things feel like.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:38 pm
==Am I just being paranoid?==

I can’t speak to the others but Theresa Eagleson has served for a long time in State Government. I’m sure she’s just decided it’s enough.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:40 pm
Interesting that this is coming after Deputy Governor Flores leaving and the DHS transition. We’ll be getting a whole new social service agency leadership team.

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:47 pm
Props to Theresa Eagleson, she has managed a massive organization very well. Losing her extensive knowledge of Medicaid will leave a deep void in this state. I wish her all the best.

Comment by Raising Kane Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:55 pm
HFS is a tough agency. Trying to balance the demands of Managed Care Companies, Human Service Providers, Federal Government and members of the General Assembly isn’t easy. Eagleson has served the people of Illinois well and deserves to ride of into the sunset.

With Grace Hou now in the Gov’s Office, I would imagine you are going to see some changes in the way the human service agencies operated.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 12:55 pm
lol, sorry I didn’t say it but I do greatly appreciate their service. And… it always alarms me when so many upper folks leave the ship at once. It’s understandable when it happens at the end or change of administration. But this strikes me as odd

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 1:03 pm
“Okay at this point I’m kinda wondering if folks are leaving a sinking ship”.

I don’t think that’s the case. I see this as the gov. shaking up his cabinet prepping to run for another term.

I could be wrong but if he was planning on ending after two terms why would he be making changes instead of riding out the last couple of years without making waves.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 1:11 pm
Theresa Eagleson has been a huge asset to this administration. She is a nationally recognized subject matter expert who provides hands on leadership and mentors and develops talent. When I worked with her during the Quinn administration,she shared credit with her team and was always accountable for outcomes. She will be missed.

Comment by Ms. Wonk Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 1:28 pm
The governor was re-elected in 2022.

Changing appointees a year after in the new administration term is in tune with transitions.

Who’s to say if any wanted to leave in 2022 but stayed on because of the election.

The micro and macro to all this *seems to align* with an administration shuffling after the second term.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 1:31 pm
==Am I just being paranoid?==

Mostly, lol. There’s a simpler explanation: the Human Services DG just changed over and these people have been at these posts for five years. Add in that Smith was kind of a disaster and you don’t really need some secret reason for them to be moving on now.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 1:39 pm
Good luck to the employees at DHFS going forward. Take the over on how many times you get reminded that your new Director has an Ivy League education.

Comment by Original Rambler Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 1:42 pm
Thanks OW for the reassurance. I’ll quit popping my head out of my trench. lol

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 1:58 pm
- Honeybear -, be well.

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 2:04 pm
Theresa did a good job. She will be missed.

Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 2:05 pm
Theresa did a lot of good things at one of the tougher agencies.

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 2:38 pm
If this is Grace Hou making changes to build her team, I’m all for it. This suggests a take charge attitude, and an involved Deputy Governor intending to lead and make these agencies operate more effectively (particularly DCFS). You go Grace!

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 3:52 pm
TE is a great person. Don’t blame her for moving on.
In response to an earlier comment regarding the Gov I don’t think he’s running again.

Comment by Eire17 Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 4:19 pm
It is “on” Aging, not “of” Aging; pet peeve. I have worked with Basta and it was a pleasure doing so. I wish her the best.

Restructuring agency directors isn’t always a sign of doom. It often happens ahead of the gearing-up for a governor’s next campaign. In the first of four years, you are finding your feet and getting the band together. In the middle two years you are addressing major needs and keeping promises and focusing on a legacy project. The fourth year is all campaigns, so really in every term the best stuff seems to happen in the middle. When it’s back-to-back terms, it’s a little different but the fourth year is always mostly campaign related. So I interpret these director moves in that context.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 4:30 pm
There’s a lot of decent theories on why these 3 are leaving at the same time. But, depending on the ages/number of years in the pension system(s) for the directors it could be as simple as pension-wise this is the best time to retire since presumably they’re all Tier 1. All were appointed in 2019 so they hit 4 years of service as director in 2023 and the end of the year is the best time to retire. So get those 48 months of director salary for calculating the pension & then get out on Dec. 31.

Comment by MyTwoCents Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 4:32 pm
Theresa has done a great job handling a difficult agency during a particularly difficult period. Her steady leadership and vast knowledge of Medicaid will be very difficult to replace and she will be missed.

Comment by Just Sayin… Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 5:31 pm
It’s “on” Aging, not “Of” Aging, pet peeve of the theirs. The Director of IDOA was someone I enjoyed working with, and I wish her the best of luck.

We may be worrying about nothing, in that, at this point in any Gov administration, it’s common to swap new people in and out. Especially so heading into a campaign year, even if/when it’s not the Gov’s own campaign. Some of it is driven by those folks’ own career desires. Sometimes, a Governor is in the process of initiating a “legacy” project and the restructurings are groundwork for that. Reading tea leaves is a fun hobby, but maybe nothing to get too worked up about.

DCFS is not a simple problem. It’s not just money that has to be thrown at it, but also enough of, and the right -kind- of people. Neither of which are in infinite supply.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Oct 4, 23 @ 6:15 pm
I am looking forward to watching Grace steer the larger human services ship. She has proved time and time again that she is the real deal - committed, effective, hard-working.

Comment by Keep it Real Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:56 am