SPRINGFIELD – On Tuesday, Nov. 24, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) convened the Illinois State Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee to discuss the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, which has already claimed 27 lives. 

“What’s been happening at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home is a tragedy,” Cullerton said. “I called this hearing to get clear answers about what happened and what’s being done to fix it. Transparency is the key to ensuring our veterans are receiving the care they deserve.”

The LaSalle Veterans’ Home can provide care for up to 184 veterans and currently has 230 active employees. The LaSalle facility informed residents, families and staff via letter on Nov. 18 that since the beginning of the outbreak, 98 residents and 93 employees have tested positive for COVID-19, and 27 veterans have passed away.

The committee met with the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and a representative from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“I want reassurances that the state agencies charged with caring for the women and men who risked their lives for this country are taking steps to get this outbreak under control,” Cullerton said. “We also need to make sure they’re taking stronger steps to prevent similar deadly outbreaks at our other veterans’ homes.”

Cullerton hopes to continue conversations with IDVA and IDPH about the ongoing outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home and hopes all stakeholders will continue to be transparent and informative.