Friends,
I hope that you are all well during these uncertain times. Over the last two months, I had the great fortune to be in community with many of you and learn more about the critically important work that you do. One thing was abundantly clear, though there are threats to the behavioral health system as we know it, we are not giving up. I am inspired by the fierce dedication to health and well-being demonstrated by our State partners and stakeholders. Even amid uncertainty, we are connecting, innovating, and using our collective resources to improve the lives of all Illinoisans.
Thank you for the work that you do and stand alongside you in service.
Wishing you the very best,
Inger Burnett-Zeigler, PhD
Chief Behavioral Health Officer
Mental Health Response to Mass Firearm Violence Plan
It is well-established that exposure to gun violence has measurable effects on the mental health of victims, witnesses, and the broader community that can worsen if the trauma goes unaddressed. With that in mind, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Mental Health (DMH) has partnered with the IDHS Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) to enhance Illinois's mental health response to mass firearm violence (defined as a single incident in which four or more individuals are shot or killed).
In December 2024, DMH and OFVP released a state plan, developed with input from a broad range of community partners, that provides a framework to guide locally driven efforts to respond not only in the immediate aftermath of a mass shooting but to help impacted individuals access services in the weeks and months that follow. The ultimate goal is that no matter where in Illinois a mass shooting occurs, there is a reliable resource network and set of steps that get activated to help impacted individuals heal from the profound trauma of mass shootings. With federal funds made available through SAMHSA, in April 2025, DMH launched a new multi-year grant program to pilot local implementation of the plan in 26 Chicago community areas that experience high rates of gun violence. For a copy of the Mental Health Response to Mass Firearm Violence Plan, and a link to a short video highlighting a local plan in action, please visit IDHS: Mental Health Response to Mass Firearm Violence Plan.
Thank you to Kelly Cunningham for Her Remarkable Service
At the end of June, Kelly Cunningham will retire as Medicaid Administrator after leading the Medical Programs at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services through a transformative and defining period.
Kelly took on the role in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic demanded swift and significant action. Under her leadership, HFS made major strides in addressing health-related social needs, strengthening long-term care, and enhancing program planning and evaluation.
With nearly 40 years of dedicated public service, Kelly leaves behind a legacy of resilience, innovation, and impact. We extend our deepest gratitude and best wishes as she begins this next chapter.
Stepping into the role of Medicaid Administrator will be Laura Phelan. Since joining the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in 2015, Laura has been a key leader in advancing the HFS mission. She currently serves as Deputy Director for New Initiatives, where she has played a vital role in shaping programs that serve Medicaid's most critical populations.
Laura brings deep expertise in managed care, insurance policy, and health program innovation. Her broad knowledge and commitment to equity and access will ensure a strong and seamless transition for the Medicaid program as HFS continues to move forward.
Behavioral Health Crisis Hub at UIC Forum
In June, the Behavioral Health Crisis Hub at the University of Illinois Chicago convened a forum, Moving Forward: Building a Stronger Crisis System in a New Era, where the theme was Collaboration, Resilience, and Innovation. Dr. Burnett-Zeigler was honored to participate as a panelist on the Illinois Landscape panel. Chief Burnett-Zeigler spoke about pressing threats to mental health for youth and adults and how we can navigate access to care for the most vulnerable.
Cook County Office of Behavioral Health Regional Behavioral Health Strategic Plan
The Cook County Office of Behavioral Health issued its first Regional Behavioral Health Strategic Plan for Cook County (pdf). The plan provides a roadmap to expand access to care, reduce behavioral health inequities, and provide culturally humble services by leveraging partnerships, resources, and strategic initiatives.
Chief Burnett-Zeigler congratulated Dr. Nutter and the CCH team on the release of this plan and provided a few remarks at the press conference.
The Kennedy Forum Screening
In May, Dr. Burnett-Zeigler attended a documentary screening hosted by The Kennedy Forum and the City Club that focused on mental health with youth and the needs of rural communities. The documentary included the work of many wonderful partners across the state, including Patrick Kennedy, Amy Kennedy, David T. Jones and Mary Garrison, and will air to the public at a later date.
Mental Health Awareness Month: A Meaningful Conversation
As Mental Health Awareness Month prepared to close, Chief Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler, in partnership with Dr. Dana Weiner, Chief of the Children's Behavioral Health Transformation, hosted a panel discussion on intergenerational mental health. Held on the campus of The University of Illinois at Chicago, this impactful event opened and closed with the artistry of spoken word, featuring Leslé Honoré, a Blaxican poet, activist and published author; and Nikki Lynette, a performer, writer and visual artist who fuses mental health activism into her work.
Two resource tables were available for participants, one from NAMI and one that featured bilingual Illinois State department mental health services such as 988, SPIDER, BEACON and more!
The event centered around a panel discussion between Dr. Chief Burnett-Zeigler and Regina and DaYanna Crider- a mother and daughter who transparently shared their lived experience surrounding mental health. Sharing experiences from their introduction to Illinois' behavioral health crisis services when DaYanna was only 10 years old to the impact hospitalizations, medication changes, advocacy needs and stigmas had on their family, The Crider's provided prospective and insight into the complex, emotional and often challenging journey families face while navigating mental health intergenerationally.
This panel closed with a question-and-answer segment, where participants engaged directly with The Crider's, Dr. Burnett-Zeigler and Dr. Weiner; an opportunity where voices were heard, experiences were validated, and supports were presented. In the words of Regina Crider, as it relates to mental health services in Illinois "Hope is on the horizon!"
Justice Cabinet Healthcare Workgroup
The Justice Cabinet is a state interagency effort to reimagine the criminal justice system in Illinois. The purpose of the Justice Cabinet is to elevate and coordinate both individual and interagency work that reduces involvement in the justice system. The Cabinet includes work connected to the justice continuum prevention, deflection, diversion, pretrial, and reentry. The Cabinet will take a comprehensive, restorative approach to the justice continuum to create a future where Illinoisians are not overly incarcerated and have access to the opportunities and services they need to thrive.
The Justice Cabinet, composed of directors and leaders from various state agencies, collaborates within leadership and advisory groups to develop recommendations and make key decisions. Their work focuses on advancing the justice continuum, particularly in workforce development, housing, and healthcare, to effectively achieve the Cabinet's overarching goals. The Justice Cabinet officially launched on Monday April 7th, 2025. Monthly meetings started in May and will conclude in November with final recommendations to be presented to the Leadership Council in December 2025.
Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force
Illinois' Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, released the 2024 Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force Report (HCITF) pdf. The report aims to address trauma and promote healing through community-driven initiatives and evidenced-based practices for the justice system. It includes key recommendations including expanding trauma-informed policies, enhancing mental health initiatives for children, and fostering equity and public health through positive experiences.
The Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force was created by legislation in 2023 in coordination with the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative. The Task Force launched in January 2024, comprising of diverse leadership and expertise with the charge of "...managing state-level initiatives, tracking progress, engaging communities effectively, supporting the workforce, transforming policies and systems, and implementing trauma-informed frameworks." This important future-oriented work culminated in the HCITF Report.
CBHO Town Hall
Wednesday June 4, 2025, Chief Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler hosted a Behavioral Health Town Hall meeting. Open to the public, over 500 people registered and attended the virtual event, eager to hear her vision and strategic priorities.
The Town Hall meeting also highlighted the voices of Illinois' State Department leaders- beginning with Deputy Governor Grace Hou, who highlighted the works of Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeiger and Dr. Dana Weiner, Chief Officer for Children's Behavioral Health Transformation. "I want to recognize our amazing leaders in Inger as well as Dana, but also the staff and the leadership in the different state agencies who surround the orbit of behavioral health and make sure that we have a system that makes sense, that is aligned and that is prioritized." Deputy Governor Hou stated. The town hall continued by providing a platform for leaders to share the current work, successes and priorities for the future of state agencies as they relate to the behavioral health continuum. Details shared displayed the partnerships throughout state departments and Illinois' commitment to providing quality behavioral health care for all Illinoisans.
Attendees submitted questions in advance to the Chief Behavioral Health Officer and State Department Leaders and engaged in live virtual chat options throughout the event. Participants shared positive feedback and appreciation of the clarity and efforts reported by state leaders.
Chief Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler is enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve the community as Chief and committed to promoting behavioral health, wellness and optimal functioning through comprehensive state supported services and creating opportunities for Illinois residents to be heard and acknowledged.
Site Visits
Over the last few months, Dr. Burnett-Zeigler has had the pleasure of visiting with providers and a few of the Illinois State Operated Hospitals.
Celebrations throughout June and July
Throughout June and July, there are a plethora of celebrations that we would like to recognize.
PRIDE Month!
Did you know that LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated every June to commemorate the 1969 stonewall riots? These riots marked the beginning of a movement to dismantle discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ+ people in the U.S.
To learn more about the importance of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, how to show your support and where to find resources, please visit the National Council for Mental Wellbeing!
Juneteenth
On June 19th, we celebrate Juneteenth! On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with Union troops to inform the community that the war was over and African Americans could no longer be legally enslaved. Because Galveston was the last place to learn the news, it is considered the true birthplace of Juneteenth.
It is important to celebrate the resiliency and achievements of African Americans on Juneteenth and every other day as they play a crucial role in our history. If you would like to learn more about the history of Juneteenth, I encourage you to visit Anti Racism Commitment Coalition (ARCC).
Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month
Each July, Mental Health America (MHA) honors author, advocate, and trailblazer Bebe Moore Campbell by recognizing National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month.
MHA has released their 2024 BIPOC Mental Health toolkit. This toolkit provides free, practical resources to help navigate mental health stigma, bridge generational differences, dismantle mental health myths and encourage meaningful conversations. To download the toolkit, please visit MHA 2024 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit.
Disability Pride Month
Since 1990, Disability Pride Month is celebrated annually in July! Signed on July 26, 1990, the law [Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)] prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, transportation, housing and access to various government programs and services. Disability Pride Month is a time for people living with disabilities to honor their many unique talents and skills!
For more information on the importance of Disability Pride Month, how to celebrate and find resources, please visit Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month - The Arc.
