Pritzker Won’t Give Chapa LaVia Vote of Confidence
Then-State Representative Linda Chapa LaVia speaks at a 2018 news conference.
As frustrations mount over handling of the COVID-19 outbreak that killed 33 residents of the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, Governor JB Pritzker declined to offer a show of support for his Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
When appointed to the role in 2019, then-State Representative Linda Chapa LaVia had bipartisan support, a history of accomplishments on veterans’ issues, and served as an officer in the Army.
But the failure to promptly to respond to the outbreak at the facility has caused immense frustration among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, who say the administration “failed” in its response.
The home administrator has been fired, and Pritzker did not stand behind Chapa LaVia Thursday when asked if there should be more firings.
“We have an ongoing investigation to determine [that] and I want to hold anybody responsible and accountable that should be and that’s why this investigation is ongoing.”
We asked Pritzker if Chapa LaVia offered her resignation and he said she had not. Pritzker also declined to make Chapa LaVia at his COVID-19 news conferences saying she’s taken “tough questions” in two virtual legislative hearings.
Pritzker did imply more firings are coming when an independent Inspector General investigation concludes.
“If there are changes to be made, we’re going to make them,” Pritzker said. “But I want to make sure that we have a full investigation and we know everything we need to know.”