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Linda Chapa LaVia

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Linda Chapa LaVia
Chapa LaVia speaking in 2019
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 83rd district
In office
January 2003 (2003-01) – February 2019 (2019-02)
Preceded byBrent Hassert (redistricted)
Succeeded byBarbara Hernandez
Personal details
Born (1966-08-16) August 16, 1966 (age 58)
Aurora, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseVernon
ChildrenTwo
Alma materUniversity of Illinois

Linda Chapa LaVia (born August 16, 1966) is an American politician and 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 covered part of Kane County, including the city of Aurora. She is the first Hispanic candidate to win a seat in the Illinois General Assembly outside of Cook County.

Early life and career

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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.[1] She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.[2] Chapa LaVia entered business and became the president and co-owner of Aurora Pizzeria and La Aurora Cigar & Spirits, and a co-owner of Lincoln Manor and CGL Enterprise. She also worked as a managing real estate broker.[2]

At the time of her election to the Illinois House of Representatives, she was a First lieutenant in the Inactive Ready Reserve.[2] Chapa LaVia, her husband, and two children live in Aurora.

Political career

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Illinois House of Representatives

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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.

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs

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In 2018, Chapa LaVia was appointed to Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker's transition committee on Veterans Affairs.[3] On February 15, 2019, Governor Pritzker announced that Chapa LaVia would be appointed the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.[4] 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.[5]

Other political activity

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Chapa LaVia served as a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[6] She was a candidate for Mayor of Aurora, Illinois in the 2017 municipal election[7] However, she finished third of four candidates and did not advance to the runoff election.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Biography". Linda Chapa LaVia. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Miller, David R., ed. (December 2002). "Biographies of New House Members" (PDF). First Reading. 16 (3). Illinois Legislative Research Unit: 9. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  3. ^ Lazansky, Shea (November 12, 2018). "Pritzker: Transition to be focused on veterans". Morris Daily Herald. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  4. ^ Miller, Rich (February 15, 2019). "Rep. Chapa LaVia will head IDVA after previous appointee bows out". Capitol Fax. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Newman, Craig (September 2, 2012). "Who are the Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention?". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  7. ^ Lord, Steve (June 24, 2015). "Chapa LaVia launches run for Aurora mayor". Aurora Beacon News/Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  8. ^ Lord, Steve. "Irvin, Guzman lead in Aurora mayoral primary". Aurora Beacon-News. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
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