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The COVID-19 vaccination requirement for visitors to IDJJ facilities has been suspended as of 1/12/23. Visitors may be required to complete a rapid COVID-19 test when they arrive at the facility. 

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- 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.

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.

Interim Deputy Director of 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.

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 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 - 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.