Illinois state Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) is demanding answers in the Illinois Veterans’ Home saga that has left 33 veterans dead from COVID-19 at the LaSalle based facility.
Capitol News Illinois
Newly-elected House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, passes a seated Rep. Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, as he returns to his seat on the floor of the Bank of Springfield Center on Wednesday, Jan. 13, after being nominated to replace Madigan as speaker.
Credit Jerry Nowicki of Capitol News Illinois
Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch made history Wednesday, Jan. 13, by becoming the first Black person elected speaker of the Illinois House, succeeding Rep. Michael Madigan, who leaves the job after serving for 36 of the past 38 years.
The House came into session Wednesday afternoon to begin the 102nd General Assembly just moments after it adjourned a rare lame duck session that ended the 101st biennial session.
Chapa LaVia out as director of Illinois veterans affairs amid virus spread at facilities Linda Chapa LaVia
Updated 1/11/2021 4:33 PM
Amid criticism from veterans advocates and others over her handling of COVID-19 in state-run homes, Aurora resident and former state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia resigned Monday as director of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
Chapa LaVia offered no explanation for her decision, but it comes during an ongoing inquiry into the spread of the coronavirus at veterans facilities and calls for her to resign or be fired.
Among the leading concerns was an outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans Home in LaSalle, where dozens of veterans have died and hundreds of residents and staff members infected.
By Sarah Mansur & Capitol News Illinois
• Jan 11, 2021
Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia announced her resignation Monday following a contentious House committee hearing on the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home that has killed more than a quarter of the facility’s residents.
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia announced her resignation following a contentious hearing of the House Civil Judiciary Committee on Monday.
Credit Credit Blueroomstream.com
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve our veterans,” LaVia said in a news release announcing her resignation. “I’m proud of our accomplishments and I look forward to assisting the interim director in any way possible as the department continues its work to serve our heroes.”