Linda Chapa LaVia
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 83rd district
In office
January 2003 (2003-January) – February 2019 (2019-February)
Preceded byBrent Hassert (redistricted)
Succeeded byBarbara Hernandez
Personal details
Born (1966-08-16) August 16, 1966
Aurora, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseVernon
ChildrenTwo Children
Alma materUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
ProfessionFull Time Legislator

Linda Chapa LaVia (born August 16, 1966) was a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 83rd District from 2003 until 2019, when she retired to accept an appointment to the cabinet of Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker. The district covers part of Kane County, including the city of Aurora. She was first elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2002 defeating Bob O'Connor, an Aurora Alderman-At-Large, becoming the first Hispanic to win a seat in the state legislature outside of Cook County.

In 2014, Chapa LaVia made racial comments by calling state Representative John Anthony a "half." Anthony is black with Puerto Rican heritage. Chap LaVia later apologized for her remarks on the House floor. In her apology she said, "I want to deeply apologize to my side of the aisle over here, my colleagues, my brothers and sisters for my personality meltdown yesterday."[1]

On Tuesday, June 24, 2015, she announced her candidacy for Mayor of Aurora, Illinois[2] However, she did not advance past the Aurora primary.[3]

The daughter of Texas cotton pickers, Linda attended Northern Illinois University and enrolled in the R.O.T.C. program, later graduating and becoming an officer in the United States Army.[4]

Chapa LaVia served as a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[5]

In 2018, Chapa LaVia was appointed to Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker's transition committee on Veterans Affairs.[6] On February 15, 2019, Governor Pritzker announced that Chapa LaVia would be appointed the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.[7] Chapa LaVia resigned as Illinois Veterans Affairs director in January, 2021. A 2021 report from the Illinois Department of Human Services' Office of the Inspector General stated that systemic mismanagement by the Illinois Veterans Affairs department led to 36 deaths from COVID-19 at the LaSalle Veterans Home. The report specifically called out Chapa LaVia's abdication of her responsibilities.[8]

Chapa LaVia, her husband, and two children live in Aurora.

References

  1. ↑ Riopell, Mike (2014-04-10). "Chapa LaVia apologizes over racial comments". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
  2. ↑ Lord, Steve (2015-06-24). "Chapa LaVia launches run for Aurora mayor". Aurora Beacon News/Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2015-06-24.
  3. ↑ Lord, Steve. "Irvin, Guzman lead in Aurora mayoral primary". Aurora Beacon-News. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  4. ↑ "Biography". Linda Chapa LaVia. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016.
  5. ↑ Newman, Craig (2012-09-02). "Who are the Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention?". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  6. ↑ Lazansky, Shea (November 12, 2018). "Pritzker: Transition to be focused on veterans". Morris Daily Herald. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  7. ↑ Miller, Rich (February 15, 2019). "Rep. Chapa LaVia will head IDVA after previous appointee bows out". Capitol Fax. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  8. ↑ Pearson, Rick (April 30, 2021). "IG report details large-scale mismanagement of virus outbreak at Illinois veterans home where 36 died". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved April 30, 2021.


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