PHHS hires new director

Cook County has hired Grace Grinager as its next Public Health and Human Services director. She will transition from her current role as Public Health Supervisor on Jan. 5, 2026.

Interim Director Plamen Dimitrov will remain in his position and assist with the transition, according to a county news release.

Grinager has served as Public Health Supervisor since November 2018.

“I actually thought about it a lot, because my entire work background has been in the public health field,” Grinager told WTIP.  “And I really came to the conclusion that, you know, there are pieces that I’ll need to learn, but there’s also a really strong foundation that I’ll come into the position with having been in the community.”

The department is undergoing a period of transition. Consultant Megan Mohs is evaluating PHHS as the county continues an extensive hiring process to fill open positions. County Administrator Kirstin Trebil-Halbersma also told commissioners there is ongoing work to improve employee satisfaction through updated policies and procedures.

“I think some of it is just going to be going back to the basics — talking to the staff in the department, identifying the places where more support is needed, and then providing that support in a very concrete way,” Grinager said.

The next Public Health and Human Services Board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16.

WTIP’s Josh Hinke spoke with Grinager about her new role. The audio of that conversation can be found below.

Josh Hinke December 10, 2025