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 confirmed by the Senate on March 22, 2024. Prior to her appointment, Mueller served as director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) since 2016. 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 (juvenile parole) offices and five day-reporting centers located throughout Illinois. From 2014-2016 Ms. Mueller was IDJJ’s deputy director of programs, serving as the principal policy-making official for the department's healthcare, behavioral health, vocational and recreational programs. In addition, Ms. Mueller conceptualized and implemented the core IDJJ intervention and behavioral management programs. Mueller earned her degree in psychology and history from Macalester College and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School.