Paula Basta was appointed Director of the Illinois Department on Aging in March of 2019, becoming the 13th director, and seventh woman to lead the agency. As a lifelong advocate for the care and treatment of senior citizens, Paula brings her institutional knowledge of senior services, policy, and social justice to lead the Illinois Department on Aging.
Paula has over 40 years of experience working with Older Adults. The first 20 years of Paula’s career was spent in the not-for-profit sector for organization such as: Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly; St. Clement Catholic Church; and Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.). While at H.O.M.E, Paula was named Executive Director following the retirement of its founders and remained in that role for five years before embarking on a 20-year career in Government.
Paula’s governmental experience began with the City of Chicago’s Department on Aging as the Director of Information and Assistance. Paula then transitioned within the City of Chicago Department on Aging to begin a 14-year career as the Regional Director of the Northeast (Levy) Senior Center. Her most recent position prior to joining IDoA was with the Chicago Housing Authority as the Director of Senior Services and Health Initiatives. While serving as Director of Senior Services and Health Initiatives, Paula oversaw social services for 54 senior buildings and 10,000 seniors throughout Chicago.