The director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services says she'll resign Jan. 9 as Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner prepares to take office.
Julie Hamos is a former Democratic state representative who oversees the state's $18 billion Medicaid program. She released a statement Friday about her resignation. She says leading the department has been ``one of the most fulfilling jobs'' she's ever had _ ``as well as the hardest.''
Hamos became the department's director in 2010. She carried out Medicaid budget cuts, irritating some black and Hispanic lawmakers who opposed her re-nomination last year. Gov. Pat Quinn stood by her at the time.
Hamos lists ``limited resources, bureaucratic hurdles and tight deadlines'' among the obstacles she faced, but says the department ``mostly succeeded in achieving'' its goals.
