New director for Lake County health department

Antonio “Tony” Beltran has been hired as the new executive director of the Lake County Health Department, replacing Irene T. Pierce, who retired this month after five years. Beltran was hired in 2010 as deputy commissioner of clinical health at the Chicago Department of Public Health and was promoted to first deputy commissioner in 2011. He played a key role in “Healthy Chicago” the city’s first comprehensive strategic plan for health, Lake County officials said. In Lake County, Beltran will oversee a budget of about $84 million, four service areas and 937 full and part-time employees. He begins his job May 6.