Rockford Sun

After reports detailed a COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle Veterans' Home, the Republican members of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee demanded that the chair hold a public hearing about the outbreak. 

"We must quickly investigate how and why a recent outbreak occurred and what steps are being taken by the [Gov. J.B.] Pritzker administration to stop the spread of COVID-19 at all state-run veterans' homes and health care facilities," Rep. Randy Frese (R-Quincy), Republican Spokesperson for the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, said in a press release from Rep. Jeff Keicher's (R-Sycamore) website. "Our veterans now depend on us, and we cannot let them down. We stand ready to get to work to assist in providing the highest quality healthcare for all Illinois veterans."

According to Keicher's release, 62 residents and 69 employees have tested positive for the coronavirus since Nov. 6, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) Administrator Angela Melbrech said. The number of positive cases is concerning, leaving GOP lawmakers questinging the protocol and restriction at the veterans' home. 

Rep. Randy Frese (R-Quincy) | Photo Courtesy of Illinois General Assembly

"It's critical that a public hearing is convened by the Veterans' Affairs Committee to include administration officials from the IDVA and the Governor himself so we can investigate what is happening inside Illinois run veterans' homes concerning mitigation efforts to control the spread of COVID-19," Rep. Daniel Swanson (R-Woodhull), member of the Illinois House Veterans' Affairs Committee, said in the press release. "Ensuring top quality health care and protecting Illinois' sons and daughters that bravely wore the uniform of the United States Armed Forces should remain among the priorities of the Illinois Legislature, and indeed all Constitutional officers."

Members who signed the letter sent to the committee chair include all Republican members of the Illinois House Veterans' Affairs Committee.

"My Republicans colleagues and I stand together holding deep concern for the thousands of veterans living in Illinois under the care and supervision of the Department of Veterans' Affairs," Frese said in the release.