LaSalle, IL – Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Erica Jeffries and State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Peru) toured the Illinois Veterans’ Home in LaSalle March 21 and spoke with veterans about issues impacting them.
“This was an incredible opportunity to tour the Illinois Veterans’ Home in LaSalle with Director Jeffries, and more importantly, to speak personally with veterans, learn about issues important to them, and hear their stories,” Rezin said. “We can never do enough for our veterans and their families, as they are the reason for our freedoms and democracy.”
“The staff at this home provides the very best care for our heroes and truly cares for each one,” said IDVA Director Erica Jeffries. “We are proud to provide this wonderful home to our Veterans.”
After touring the Illinois Veterans’ Home, Sen. Rezin and Director Jeffries met with leaders from several area veterans’ organizations to discuss important topics. The organizations included Chief Shabbona DAV Post 86 (Morris), John Martin Steele VFW Post 6049 (Morris), American Legion Post 294 (Morris), LaSalle County Veterans Assistance Commission, VFW Post 4668 (LaSalle), Illinois Veterans Home, American Legion Post 375 (Peru), American Legion Post 235 (Marseilles), VFW Post 5506 (Marseilles), American Legion Post 260 (Tonica), American Legion Post 182 (Spring Valley), American Legion Post 938 (Ladd), American Legion Post 731 (Utica), American Legion Post 1242 (McNabb).
“We’re constantly looking for ways to improve our care for Illinois’ veterans,” Rezin said. “Director Jeffries is a strong advocate for our heroes and is working hard to help veterans across this state.”
The Illinois Veterans’ Home provides skilled nursing for veterans and has a capacity of 200 beds, including 40 special-needs beds for veterans suffering from Alzheimer’s? Disease or related dementias.
“This home is a model for the services it offers and the way caregivers make sure veterans are looked after, provided for, and served in the most respectful and honorable way,” Rezin said.
This year, Sen. Rezin is spearheading efforts to bring more awareness and help Gold Star Families who lost a loved in service to our nation.
Following her graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Director Jeffries served as an active duty Army aviation officer. She was a platoon leader and an Executive Officer in an Aviation battalion as a UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter pilot, and later as the Assistant Secretary of the General Staff for all of III Corps and Fort Hood, one of the Army’s largest installations. Ms. Jeffries was medically retired in 2003.