Gov. Pat Quinn today named state Rep. Julie Hamos as director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, raising the profile of a woman who unsuccessfully ran for congressional office this year.
"Julie has served our state with professionalism and integrity for many years and is a longtime champion of improving access to healthcare," Quinn said in a statement. "In this new role, she will continue to be a strong advocate for families in need of better, more efficient and patient-centered healthcare."
Hamos, a Wilmette resident who represents the state's 18th District, has served in the Illinois House since 1999. Last year, she announced a run for U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk's 10th Congressional District seat, but Dan Seals beat her in the Democratic primary.
Kirk, a Republican, is running for U.S. Senate.
Hamos will take over one of the most complex agencies in the state, and one that will become a growing focus for Illinois executives as health care costs explode and the national health care reform law's provisions begin to affect the state.
"I look forward to working on the frontline to carry out that reform throughout Illinois," Hamos said in a statement.
Her experience on health care issues includes working to enact the Consumer Guide to Health Care Act and create the Electronic Health Records Taskforce. This year, she is sponsoring the Illinois Health Information Exchange and Technology Act.
Before her career in the General Assembly, she also served as legislative counsel and policy advisor to Richard M. Daley, when he was state's attorney. She was later appointed as director of the Child Support Division.
Hamos will succeed current HFS Director Barry Maram, appointed by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, impeached last year. She takes over the agency on April 16.
Hamos' replacement is still unclear, but state Democrats are likely to pick Democrat Robyn Gabel.
Gabel won the Democratic primary for the 18th District seat after Hamos chose to run for the U.S. House rather than seek re-election. She is executive director of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition.