Springfield, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health Director is stepping down.
An obtained memo indicates Dr. Damon Arnold is leaving the job he's held for four years. The message written by Arnold to agency staff goes on to say he is leaving to lead a university based-school of public health.
The memo says in the interim, Dr. Craig Conover, who is the Office of Health Protection Medical Director, will take over for Arnold until a replacement is appointed.
Governor Quinn's Administration has yet to comment.
Arnold is from Chicago. He was named to the job by former governor Rod Blagojevich.
Prior to that time, he was medical director for bioterrorism and preparedness for Chicago's public health department. He's also a colonel and top medical official for the Army National Guard.
The memo lists accomplishments as head of the public health department. They include working to improve and refine policies and procedures that ensure good health of citizens for Illinois.