Heidi E. Mueller
Director, Illinois DCFS

Heidi E. Mueller was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker to serve as acting director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) on February 1, 2024 and she was confirmed unanimously by the Senate on March 22, 2024.

Prior to her appointment, Director Mueller served as director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) for eight years. In that role she oversaw the care, custody and services provided to youth committed to the department by Illinois courts, including five secure youth centers, eight aftercare offices and five day-reporting centers located throughout Illinois.

As deputy director of programs for IDJJ, Director Mueller served as the principal policy-making official for the department's healthcare, behavioral health, vocational and recreational programs. She also conceptualized and implemented the core IDJJ intervention and behavioral management programs. 

A passionate advocate and champion for children and families, Director Mueller considers her role at DCFS to be her calling and is working tirelessly with her team of more than 3,500 employees, empowering them to have a voice as she helps to make reforms and improvements to the agency.