Prairie State Wire

Following Linda Chapa LaVia’s resignation as director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, a report faults her management and that of the director of the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, where 36 individuals died in a COVID-19 outbreak at the home.

A report on the outbreak, from the Illinois Department of Human Services said that Chapa LaVia had “abdicated” her responsibilities to an individual who had no medical background, and who issued rules that contradicted health guidelines while allowing the veterans’ homes in Illinois to manage themselves, according to a report from the Stars and Stripes.

“Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Linda Chapa La Via will step down under fire for the state's management of a fatal COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans' Home, per Governor Pritzker's office,’ tweeted Mark Maxwell, Capitol Bureau Chief for WCIA13, in January.

Chapa LaVia resigned in January after a House Civil Judiciary committee hearing where she was questioned about how the LaSalle outbreak happened. Her chief of staff, Anthony Kolbeck, also resigned in the wake of the report. These two weren’t the only casualties of the home’s mismanagement. Angela Mehlbrech, the former administrator of the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, was fired in December, according to a report in the Journal Star.

The screening desk was often empty, protective gear wasn’t used properly, and a lack of planning, training and communication caused issues at the home, according to the Stars and Stripes report.

In announcing her January resignation, Chapa La Via called it a privilege to serve the state’s veterans.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve our veterans,” said Chapa LaVia “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.” 

Terry Prince, a Navy veteran, was appointed by Pritzker on April 1 to serve as acting director of Veterans Affairs.