April 18, 2024
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Rezin moves for transparency about La Salle Veterans Home COVID-19 outbreak

Morris senator files Freedom of Information Act request seeking communications between IDVA, IDPH and long-term care facility

By Morris Herald-News staff report
State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris)

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) (Provided)

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, announced that she has filed an Illinois Freedom of Information Act request with the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs for communications and information related to the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak at the Illinois Veterans Home in La Salle.

“It has been three months since the COVID outbreak first started at the La Salle Veterans Home, and yesterday [March 2] it was announced that another resident has tested positive for the virus,” Rezin said. “The residents of the La Salle Veterans Home and their loved ones have waited long enough for answers from the governor’s administration. It’s time that we finally provide them with the answers that they deserve.”

Rezin is seeking the following information from the FOIA that she submitted to IDVA:

• Information pertaining to the responsibilities of overseeing the IDPH, IDVA and La Salle Veterans Home. More specifically, which deputy governor is responsible for being the point person on issues concerning the IDPH and IDVA at the veterans homes.

• Any and all communication from Oct. 25 to Dec. 31, 2020, about the COVID-19 outbreak at the La Salle Veterans Home to and/or from the following: Gov. JB Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, chief of staff to the governor, chief of staff to the lieutenant governor, Deputy Gov. Sol Flores, chief of staff for Flores, Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell, chief of staff for Mitchell, IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, chief of staff for the IDPH, IDVA Director Linda Chapa LaVia, chief of staff for the IDVA.

• Documentation showing the number of applicants and awards (if any) for the Region 2 Pandemic Health Navigator grant, including the amount remaining of the $8.8 million available for Region 2.

• Any and all documents, written and electronic, mentioning COVID-19 addressed to and/or from the La Salle Veterans Home dated from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, 2020.

Click here to view a copy of the FOIA request that was submitted by Rezin.


Morris