The head of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs is resigning.
Erica Jeffries has been in charge during multiple Legionnaires' disease outbreaks at a Quincy veterans' home.
According to an email obtained by WBEZ Public Radio in Chicago from a top Veterans' Affairs administrator - Jeffries is going to work at Johnson & Johnson and her final day will be May 18.
Governor Bruce Rauner appointed her to lead the IDVA shortly after he took office.
The West Point graduate and US Army veteran has staunchly defended her agency's handling of the Legionnaires' outbreaks following a WBEZ investigation.
She's frequently said she's followed the recommendations of the federal government.
But still - 13 residents have died and dozens more have been sickened in repeated outbreaks since 2015.
In a statement - Rauner's office thanks Jeffries for her - quote - "tremendous service" and says they'll be vetting successors in the coming weeks.
