Agencies
Services
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.
Acting Director - Robert Vickery
Robert Vickery serves as Director of IDJJ, overseeing the care, custody and services provided to young people committed to the Department by Illinois courts. In this role, he oversees five secure youth centers and eight Aftercare offices. Mr. Vickery served as Deputy Director of Programs at IDJJ from 2017 to 2024. Under his guidance, DJJ achieved and sustained substantial compliance with all of the behavioral health and programming requirements of the federal RJ consent decree. He also led key components of the 21st Century Transformation Plan, including upgrades to the agency’s intake process, increased partnerships with innovative and transformative community partners, and engagement with families and former DJJ youth to improve the juvenile justice system. Mr. Vickery has been a leader in Illinois’ juvenile justice reform efforts throughout his 20 year career, starting as a juvenile detention officer and probation officer with the 18th Judicial Circuit Court in DuPage County. Mr. Vickery also served as Executive Director of the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission from 2014 to 2016, focusing on juvenile justice policy and practice reforms for the state.
Chief of Staff- Marna Satlak
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.
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.
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.
Interim Deputy Director of Programs – Dr. Janice Evans
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 Community Services Division (Aftercare) – Thomas DeBetta
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.
Assistant Deputy Director of Operations – Kendle Jones
The Assistant Deputy Director of Operations (ADDO) assists the Deputy Director of Operations in overseeing overall operations of all youth facilities within the Department. The ADDO is responsible for assisting the deputy with all aspects relating to security, staffing, training, investigations and audits.
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. School District #428 is an ISBE recognized and accredited school district. All teachers are highly certified, as required by the Illinois State Board of Education. The School Superintendent serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the DJJ School District #428.
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 of Professional Development & Training - Debi Joy
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.
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.
Chief of Communication- Dominique Newman
The Chief of Communication is responsible for developing policies, planning, implementing, and administering media services and communications operations. The Chief of Communication acts as the media representative for the agency and also manages the website, social media, and internal communication efforts.
Chief of Performance and Innovation-John Albright
The Chief of Performance is responsible for agency quality improvent activities including review and analysis of agency programs, services, and operations. The Chief is the agency lead for both internal and county detention center overight.
Director of Intergovernmental Relations- Luis Klein
The Director of Intergovernmental Affairs develops, formulates, and drafts legislative initiatives for the Department; advises administrative units on the status and impact of legislation; provides advice and direction on the overall implementation of legislative measures; represents the Department and Office of the Governor before legislative bodies and cultivates relationships and partnerships with community stakeholders on behalf of the Department.
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.
Human Resources Director-
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.
Labor Relations Administrator – Pete Wessel
The Labor Relations Administrator serves as principle administrator responsible for the development and implementation of labor relations policies and procedures. The Labor Relations Administrator represents the Department before Unions, public groups, arbitrators, courts and others to explain decisions, policies and findings related to labor matters.