Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday replaced the director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs after a COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Illinois Veterans Home was linked to the deaths of 36 veterans.
The director of Illinois' Veteran Affairs Department is leaving the post. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday the departure of Linda Chapa LaVia was a ``mutual decision."
SPRINGFIELD â Illinois Department of Veteransâ Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia resigned Monday, more than two months after an outbreak was first reported at the LaSalle Veteransâ Home that has killed more than a quarter of the facilityâs residents.
Chapa LaVia is the second high-profile departure related to the outbreak at the LaSalle home in the aftermath of the deadly outbreak. LaSalle Veteransâ Home Administrator Angela Melbrech was fired on Dec. 7.
Chapa LaViaâs resignation came after a House Civil Judiciary committee hearing on Monday morning during which members questioned her handling of the outbreak at the LaSalle home, where 36 residents have died of COVID-19 since Nov. 1.
The head of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs has resigned. Linda Chapa LaVia stepped down following a committee hearing on Saturday where lawmakers que
Top Regional News: Some Illinois counties entering next phase of vaccine distribution
Illinois News Desk
Some Illinois counties entering next phase of vaccine distribution
SPRINGFIELD Some regions of the state could see loosened COVID-19 restrictions as early as Friday as some counties have already transitioned to the next phase of vaccine distribution, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Monday.
Although the state remains in Phase 1A of its vaccine distribution plan, some communities which have substantially completed Phase 1A have moved to the early stages of Phase 1B.
“We want to make sure any available vaccine is administered quickly to the priority groups that we’ve laid out,” Pritzker said. “Let’s get those out to Phase 1B people. . Even though we haven’t moved everybody into the next phase, we don’t want any of these vaccines sitting around.”