The director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services says she'll resign Jan. 9 as Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner prepares to take office.

Julie Hamos is a former Democratic state representative who oversees the state's $18 billion Medicaid program. She released a statement Friday about her resignation. She says leading the department has been "one of the most fulfilling jobs" she's ever had — "as well as the hardest."

Hamos became the department's director in 2010. She carried out Medicaid budget cuts, irritating some black and Hispanic lawmakers who opposed her re-nomination last year. Gov. Pat Quinn stood by her at the time.

Hamos lists "limited resources, bureaucratic hurdles and tight deadlines" among the obstacles she faced, but says the department "mostly succeeded in achieving" its goals.

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