Tammy Duckworth, veterans affairs director under ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, is set to be the public face of the federal VA under President Barack Obama.

The Hoffman Estates resident, who lost both her legs when her helicopter was shot down in Iraq, was nominated by Obama to serve as the public and intergovernmental affairs director for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the White House announced Tuesday.

"Tammy Duckworth brings significant talent, leadership and personal experience to this important work," said Eric Shenseki, veterans affairs secretary, in a statement.

Duckworth refused to talk to the media following the announcement, but she issued a statement saying in part, "America has a sacred trust with our Veterans. We must work together - states, federal and non-governmental - to make sure our service members get the benefits and treatment they need when they return home. It is the least that we can do for those who are willing die to protect our freedoms."

Duckworth's nomination must be approved by the U.S. Senate to take effect and it is expected to go through that chamber's veterans affairs committee. Her new position will have a yearly salary of between $143,000 and $196,000. A spokeswoman said the actual salary wouldn't be known until Duckworth is confirmed by the Senate.

Duckworth is close to the Obama administration. Her failed run for Congress in 2006 against Republican Peter Roskam was prodded by Obama chief strategist David Axelrod. Obama also selected her for a keynote speech on veterans issues at the Democratic National Convention and the two have shared a campaign stage several times.

But Duckworth has also been criticized for being close to Blagojevich, who was removed last week by lawmakers following his arrest on corruption charges.

Blagojevich held a party for Duckworth at the convention and he appointed her to run the state's veterans affairs department after her failed congressional bid in the DuPage County-centered 6th District.

Duckworth has largely kept quiet about Blagojevich since his downfall, noticeably absent from the long list of politicians who called for his resignation. Duckworth also lodged no criticisms against the governor when allegations came out in impeachment proceedings that his administration was illegally passing over veterans to install cronies in state jobs.

Before Blagojevich's arrest, Duckworth's name was floated as a possible appointment to fill out Obama's remaining two years in the Senate. However, her name didn't come up as a highly considered candidate in the federal criminal complaint against the governor that accuses him of trying to sell that appointment for personal gain.

Duckworth is currently a major in the Illinois National Guard. She was an assistant operations officer for a 500-soldier aviation task force when her helicopter was shot down in 2004.