DCFS Director Resigns Following Cancer Diagnosis
(STMW) -- Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Richard Calica will resign due to serious illness, Gov. Pat Quinn announced Friday.
Calica has been diagnosed with cancer.
He has served as director of DCFS since December 2011. DCFS chief of staff Denise Gonzales will step in as Acting Director effective immediately.
"It's been an honor and a privilege to serve under Governor Quinn," Calica said in a statement. "This has been the most difficult and rewarding time of my career in child welfare. The reforms that we've put in place will maximize this agency's ability to ensure the safety of children who are at risk of abuse and neglect for years to come."
"My heart and prayers are with Director Calica and his family during this very difficult time," Governor Quinn said. "During a most difficult time, Director Calica has taken this agency in the right direction and he always put the safety of our most vulnerable children first. We are deeply grateful for his service, which has saved countless lives."
Calica will work with agency leadership to transition over the coming days.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
