Director's Office
The Director's Executive Team works together with IDJJ staff to accomplish the department's mission of building youth skills, strengthening families, and promoting community safety and positive youth outcomes.
Director - Heidi Mueller
Director Heidi Mueller was named director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice in 2016. As director, she oversees the care, custody and services provided to youth committed to the Department by Illinois courts. In this role, Director Mueller oversees five secure youth centers and eight Aftercare (juvenile parole) offices, along with five day reporting centers located throughout Illinois. She served as Deputy Director of Programs for IDJJ from 2014-16 . In that role, Ms. Mueller served as the principal policy-making official for the Department's programs including healthcare, behavioral health services, vocational and recreational programming. In addition, Ms. Mueller conceptualized and implemented the core IDJJ intervention and behavioral management programs. Director Mueller earned her degree in Psychology and History from Macalester College. She also received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School.
Chief of Staff- Andrew Munemoto
The Chief of Staff coordinates and reviews the Department's long-term goals and objectives, evaluates the efficiency of existing policies, procedures, and programs, and monitors compliance. The Chief of Staff directs staff in the review and analysis of Department programs to ensure policy objectives are met.
Deputy Director of Operations - Jeremy Burtis
The Deputy Director of Operations is responsible for the overall operations of all five youth facilities within the Department. The Deputy is responsible for all aspects relating to security, staffing, training, investigations and audits.
Deputy Director of Programs – Robert Vickery
The Deputy Director of Programs serves as the principal policy-making official, conceptualizing, developing and implementing program services for the Department. The Deputy assists in the planning and coordination of goals and objectives, and formulates and executes policies and procedures for statewide programs and services that are evidence-based.
Deputy Director of Aftercare – Eva Moore
The Deputy Director of Aftercare exercises principal programmatic responsibility of the formulation and implementation of statewide aftercare policy for all juvenile community supervision, case management, public safety, family, and aftercare services.
Chief Financial Officer - Lindsay England
The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for formulating policies and plans; developing and coordinating operations; advising the Director, Executive Staff, and Youth Center Superintendents in areas of fiscal operations and capital budgeting, accounting, procurement, and federal and state grant formulation.
Chief Legal Counsel – Jullian Brevard
The Chief Legal Counsel provides legal and policy advice on all matters which impact the Department, and directs all legal and policy work of the agency. The Counsel represents the agency on all legal matters with other government entities, including federal, other state, county and municipal offices to ensure that all actions, procedures and functions of the department comply with appropriate laws, rules, and regulations.
Superintendent of Schools- Dr. Tresa D. Dunbar
In consultation with the District School Board, the Superintendent develops, administers, and evaluates the statewide educational programs for juvenile facilities, including the academic, career, and technical education programs. The School Superintendent serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the DJJ School District #428.
Chief of Professional Development & Training - Marna Satlak
The Chief of Professional Development and Training is responsible for developing, administering, and directing operations and activities for professional development and training within the agency; develops training programs, establishes policies, and formulates procedure which govern professional development and training needs and requirements for all employees.
Public Information Officer- Dominique Newman
The Public Information Officer is responsible for developing policies, planning, implementing, and administering media services and communications operations. The PIO serves as the media representative for the agency and also assists with internal communication efforts.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)Officer - Jim Crowley
The EEO Officer responds to the needs of department employees on sensitive matters such as harassment and discrimination, disability accommodation and employee assistance. The EEO Officer also maintains workforce statistics and reports required by the Department of Human Rights.
Senior Policy Advisor – Omar Jamil
The Senior Policy Advisor helps guide policies and procedures by incorporating best practices and through analyses of data collected in the department. The Senior Policy Advisor also assists in coordinating department-wide efforts to improve departmental climate/culture, such as through the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee and Wellness Initiative.
Human Resources Director- Rachel Bolinger
The Director of Human Resources serves as the principal policy formulator, developing statewide policies and procedures for the Human Resources programs servicing the agency. The Director advises Executive Management and provides direction to Managers on the interpretation of current policies, development of new programs, change in operations and other Human Resources administration matters.