From 1976-2003, Jess McDonald served four governors of Illinois, first as the Director of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, and then as the Director of the Department of Child and Family Services. While director of the DCFS, he dramatically increased the number of adoptions and improved the overall service and management of the agency, receiving numerous state and federal awards for his efforts.
Interview Links
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Early life & Vietnam War experiences
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Work with Governor Thompson in the Bureau of the Budget
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Service as Director of DCFS for Governor Edgar
Interview Session 04 (Audio)
Service as Director of DCFS for Governors Ryan & Blagojevich
Transcript
Photos
Caption
Jess McDonald, in the center, back, gets his photograph taken with orphan children and a Catholic priest at an orphanage in Qui Nhon, South Vietnam, where McDonald's unit, the 98th Quartermaster Battalion, was stationed.
Where:
Qui Nhon, South Vietnam
When:
1965
Ownership:
Narrator's photo
Caption
Jess McDonald speaks at the press conference announcing his appointment as the Director of DCFS on June 6, 1994, with an attentive Governor Edgar behind him.
Where:
Unknown
When:
June 6, 1994
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Jess McDonald, on the right, attends a Senate hearing with Senator Walter Dudycz, and Secretary of Human Services Howard Peters next to McDonald.
Where:
Illinois State Senate, Springfield, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Jess McDonald meets President Bill Clinton at the White House in the fall of 1998, where former Governor and Mrs. Edgar were honored with an adoption award, as was the Department of Children and Family Services.
Where:
White House
When:
fall of 1998
Ownership:
Unknown