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.
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 VietnamWhen:
1965Ownership:
Narrator's photo
Caption
Jess McDonald speaks at the press conference announcing his appointment as the Director of DCFS, with an attentive Governor Edgar behind him. Where:
UnknownWhen:
June 6, 1994Ownership:
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:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
public domain
Caption
Jess McDonald meets President Bill Clinton at the White House, where former Governor and Mrs. Edgar were honored with an adoption award, as was the Department of Children and Family ServicesWhere:
UnknownWhen:
fall of 1998Ownership:
Unknown