Gov. Pritzker Names Raven DeVaughn Senior Advisor

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that Raven DeVaughn will serve as Senior Advisor, overseeing the legislative and policy portfolios within the Governor’s Office. DeVaughn currently serves as Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). She will begin this role on November 16.

“Raven DeVaughn is a dedicated public servant who brings decades of experience to the role,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Under Raven’s steadfast leadership, CMS has successfully tackled some of the most complex problems facing State government. I look forward to working closely with her in this new role on critical policy and legislative priorities.” ​

Since January 2023, DeVaughn has served as Director of CMS, overseeing approximately 800 employees who administer employee benefits, property and fleet management, human resources, labor relations, and other critical services for state agencies, boards, and commissions. ​

Under her leadership, CMS launched a transformative workforce initiative that dramatically reduced vacancies, expanded diverse hiring, and grew the state's workforce to more than 57,000 employees for the first time in 19 years. She launched the $500 million Surplus to Success program to activate long abandoned state properties with the goal of putting those properties into productive use. DeVaughn also successfully led the completion of the complex James R. Thompson commercial real estate transaction that generated nearly $1 billion in cost avoidance for taxpayers, and established the Governor's leadership development program to prepare the next generation of state leaders. ​

“I’d like to thank Governor Pritzker for the opportunity to serve in this critical role,” DeVaughn said. “I look forward to serving all Illinoisians as this administration continues to advance policies that help working families in every corner of this great state.” ​

Prior to leading CMS, DeVaughn served as Assistant Director at the agency. DeVaughn has held Director-level positions across sectors in government, higher education, and economic development, including at the University of Chicago, World Business Chicago, and the Public Building Commission of Chicago. She holds an undergraduate degree from Howard University and Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois. ​

Governor Pritzker has appointed Erin O’Boyle to serve as Interim Director upon DeVaughn’s departure. O’Boyle, who currently serves as Chief of Staff, brings years of state service to the role. She previously served as Deputy Director, Labor Relations acting as Chief Negotiator and Spokesperson for the State in collective bargaining with the State’s largest labor partners. She is a Navy veteran and holds an undergraduate degree and Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois.

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