Springfield, Illinois — State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) announced the appointment of Mr. Salvador Godinez as the new Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections.

"Director Godinez started his career in the Illinois Department of Corrections as a re-entry counselor and brings 37 years of knowledge and expertise to this new position," stated Senator Munoz, Chairman of the Executive Appointments Committee. "I congratulate him on his appointment."

Mr. Godinez, started with the Illinois Department of Corrections in 1973 and worked his way up through the ranks in the juvenile division, becoming Assessment Unit Supervisor. In 1981 he was promoted to the position of Assistant Warden of Programs at the Statesville Correctional Center in Joliet. He left the state in 1989 to become the Warden of a Super Max prison in Ely, Nevada. In 1991, Mr. Godinez came back to Illinois as the Warden of Statesville Correctional Center. Later in his career, he became the Deputy Chief of Juvenile Probation for Cook County, and in 2006 became the Executive Director of the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Mr. Godinez was born and raised in Chicago. He attended Kelly High School on the Southwest Side of Chicago and attended the University Of Illinois-Chicago where he received his B.A. in Criminal Justice. He went on to receive his Masters Degree in Corrections from Chicago State University.

"I am honored by the Governor's appointment and to be confirmed by the Senate as the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections and today I would like to thank the Senators for their confidence in my abilities," stated Director Godinez.

"Mr. Godinez is the first Hispanic to head the Illinois Department of Corrections," stated Senator Munoz.