"Michelle, I'm happy to give this to you," said Dr. Carol Adams, who has served as the secretary for the last six years.
Adams is leaving the post to become Illinois's representative to Africa, and Gov. Pat Quinn has chosen Michelle Saddler, to become secretary of the agency.
With budget cuts, Saddler says all programs that DHS controls, such as child care, food stamps and rehabilitation services, will need to be reviewed with an eye towards what works.
"It's my hope that we actually review our programs under the lens of data and research, what's the proof that they have long term effectiveness," Saddler said.
Michelle Saddler has been the director of policy for the Quinn administration and worked for Quinn as director of investments when he was treasurer.
