SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- From disease outbreaks at veterans’ homes to complaints of unprofessionalism, the last few years have been hard for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, but a legislative panel is hearing how things might be turning around.
Dr. Allen Bridges from the federal VA took a question about caregivers' pay.
"Our most vulnerable group for the future is going to be our aging and our patients with cognitive issues and so the VA caregiver program is going to be absolutely critical to help keep our veterans in homes with people who love them and out of nursing homes," he said.
Lawmakers also heard that the state and nation are stepping up to try to stop veteran suicides, which are roughly twice the rate of the general population.
Terry Prince, Acting Director of the state VA department said an overhaul in his department includes new senior staff.
"We improve culture and communication," he said.
"We've been diligent about listening to our staff and engaging with them including a weekly mailer which I call 'Tuesdays with Terry', which is a direct link to our staff and provides them with a direct confidential way to communicate with me on issues that are occurring at the veterans' homes and they are giving me the feedback."
The last director was bounced after COVID claimed dozens of lives in a veterans home in LaSalle, which happened a few years after the Legionnaire's outbreak in Quincy. In both cases, the administration took heavy criticism.
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