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* UPDATED x4 - Kennedy, Ives, Rauner respond * Political blowback begins over Quincy Veterans Home debacle

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* Biss campaign…

Daniel Biss released the following statement after a scathing investigative report by WBEZ revealed Bruce Rauner’s failure to address deadly outbreaks of the Legionnaires’ disease crisis at the state-run Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Illinois.

“This tragedy is the result of decades of disinvestments in the communities that need it most and a reflection of a broken system that fails to provide necessary care for Illinois’ most vulnerable residents. These brave men and women, who once answered the call to service, deserve to live the remainder of their lives with dignity and pride for the sacrifices they made for our country.

“Instead, Bruce Rauner has failed them by neglecting to address the outbreak of a wholly preventable disease in the Illinois Veterans Home. We need an immediate investigation into Rauner’s negligence and we must bring justice for these veterans and their families who are suffering as a result.”

* Pritzker campaign…

Following a tragic new report on Legionnaires’ disease deaths in Illinois Veterans’ homes, JB Pritzker called for an independent investigation into Bruce Rauner’s failure to prevent the deaths of our nation’s heroes.

At a press conference in front of the Thompson Center with Alderman Gilbert Villegas and members of the Chicago City Council’s Veterans Caucus, JB outlined three actions that must be taken immediately to begin to remedy the crisis and protect our Veterans. An independent investigator must be appointed to investigate the Legionnaires’ crisis and audit existing contracts; in consultation with their families, Veterans should be relocated from the Quincy Veterans’ home to keep them safe; and the construction of the new Chicago Veterans’ home that was stalled by Bruce Rauner’s budget crisis should be expedited and opened immediately.

“The obligation we have to these heroes and their families is sacred, and to have that obligation so thoroughly neglected is an unconscionable moral failing,” said JB Pritzker. “They served us, they defended us, they risked their lives for us. For them to come home expecting our support and care, and instead lose their lives to a preventable disease is appalling. These are real lives lost and families destroyed because of failures at the highest levels of our state government. When a governor does not take charge, people die. Bruce Rauner must be held accountable for this tragic failure of leadership.”

Alderman Gilbert Villegas said, “Legionnaires’ disease is totally and completely treatable, and it’s found in places like prisons and third world countries, but here we are talking about a Veterans’ Home in Illinois. Governor Rauner should be ashamed. Right here in Chicago, a Veterans’ Home has been sitting unfinished the entire time Bruce Rauner has been governor. Today, I am calling on Bruce Rauner to step up and do whatever it takes to serve our Veterans just like they have served him and all of us. Never allow another Veteran to die of Legionnaires. Never allow another vital building to go half finished. Governor Rauner, do what is right and serve our Veterans, just like they served us—you’re in charge.”

In support of these efforts, Veteran and Secretary of State Jesse White said, “There needs to be an investigation into the issues surrounding the Legionnaires disease outbreak in Quincy Veterans’ home and I urge the facility to be shut down until the source of the outbreak is known. As a Veteran, I find it especially frustrating that people who served our country should have to deal with this outrageous situation.”

* Press release…

State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is calling for a full legislative audit into the mismanagement of the Quincy Veterans’ Home that has resulted in deaths of Illinois veterans.

“Our veterans have survived combat zones and foreign conflicts – the greatest dangers they now face should not be living their golden years in a state facility,” Cullerton said. “I’m calling on my colleagues on the Legislative Audit Commission to launch a full examination into the Quincy Veterans’ Home to give the General Assembly a clear picture of the problems we have on hand. The sooner we examine this atrocity, the more quickly we can remedy the situation.”

Cullerton will file legislation today to quickly begin the audit. He hopes for cooperation from the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission and sent a letter to Co-Chairmen State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and Representative Bob Rita (D-Blue Island) to drive the audit. Cullerton serves on the bipartisan commission.

“I’m outraged veterans have died on the governor’s watch,” Cullerton said. “Our nation’s heroes have laid their lives on the line to protect our great nation. I cannot believe Governor Rauner’s administration has been thoughtless and ineffective in the care and services our veterans continue to receive.”

Cullerton describes this as another example from the governor’s administration of mismanagement and ineffective usage of state funds and resources.

“Governor Rauner needs to answer for this ongoing epidemic,” Cullerton said. “Governor Rauner has failed our veterans once again. My hope is this thorough examination will result in our nation’s heroes receiving better services and living conditions. They have given us their very best, now it is our duty to make sure they receive the same from us.”

Cullerton served in the Army from 1990 to 1993 as an infantryman and serves on as the Chairman of the Illinois Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee.

He will be calling a hearing soon to address this issue and begin examining the care and services veterans receive at Quincy Veterans Home.

* Comptroller Mendoza…

I dunno. Did the governor order a cover-up? The WBEZ story doesn’t seem to show that. It looks like the state agency kept things quiet at first. But, again, I don’t know all the particulars yet.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Governor’s office…

Gov. Bruce Rauner issued the following statement regarding the Quincy Veterans’ Home:

“My administration is deeply concerned about the veterans at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. We are committed to ensuring the residents get the care and treatment they deserve in a safe living environment.

“When the first incidence of Legionella occurred in Quincy, six months into my administration, we quickly brought in the Centers for Disease Control and followed their recommendations. The state has implemented a robust and comprehensive water management plan including the construction of a new water management plant and routine testing of the water at the facility.

“The CDC in its most recent report said the remediation is ‘aligned with the best practices identified in CDC’s water management toolkit.’

“Legionella is a virus that is a growing concern in the U.S., not just in Illinois. That it has arisen in a place where our bravest and most cherished defenders reside is a tragedy, and we intend to keep working with the CDC at our side to protect our residents.”

Hmm. I wonder what he means by “six months into my administration, we quickly brought in the Centers for Disease Control.” If it’s the agency, then the decision not to tell the public is on it. If it’s Rauner’s office, then he didn’t inform the public (including family members of the afflicted) for weeks about the outbreak.

…Adding… Also, governor, it’s a bacteria, not a virus.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Rep. Jeanne Ives…

“This report is sickening. As a veteran, and the daughter and granddaughter of soldiers, it goes without saying that I understand the depth and significance of the sacrifice our men and women in uniform make. Today, my thoughts are with the families of the 13 people who died in the Illinois Veterans Home.

“Under Governor Rauner, state services have declined to a such degree that the maintenance of clean facilities to prevent outbreaks of bacterial maladies, like Legionnaires, has become grossly inadequate. In November, Rauner said at Hines VA Hospital, ‘One way we can support our veterans — keep a quality of life and achieve the American dream for themselves and their families — is to have high-quality health care services.’ Yet another betrayal at the hand of Benedict Rauner.

“Managing state agencies is one of the critical jobs of the Executive Office. Bruce Rauner promised to turn Illinois around. But on his watch, state services have deteriorated. If he can’t manage a 200-acre veterans home with 250 residents, how can he manage the state? Governor Rauner isn’t in charge, because he never took charge. And 13 veterans, or spouses of veterans, are now dead because of it.”

*** UPDATE 3 *** Chris Kennedy…

“Taking care of our veterans should transcend campaign politics. Those who served our nation should receive the best quality care no matter what. Of course, there should be an investigation into the failure to protect these veterans. I am hopeful that Governor Rauner will join the call for an independent audit into why this happened and how we can ensure it will never happen again.”

*** UPDATE 4 *** Sen. Paul Schimpf…

“Our first and foremost priority must be to ensure our veterans receive the best care possible, and that they receive it in a healthy environment. While the state continues to look for the source of this outbreak and enact the recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control, it is my hope that we remain focused on treating our veterans who have been affected. Our veterans deserve better than partisan finger-pointing,” said Schimpf (R-58th District). “As the Minority Spokesman for the Illinois Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee, I look forward to hearing from the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs in a public forum on how to best to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

* Multiple members…

State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, state Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Smithton, and state Rep. Al Riley, D-Olympia Fields, are demanding a full investigation and legislative hearings into why Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has not taken aggressive action to provide better care for veterans living in state-run veteran homes and to prevent them from dying from avoidable diseases.

“Reading the investigative report about the Quincy Veterans Home and the individuals who died from Legionnaires Disease there due to the inability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the outbreak is outrageous and shameful,” Chapa LaVia said. “The highest possible safety standards should exist in our veteran homes.”

Following an investigative report by WBEZ, the Illinois Veterans Home, located in Quincy, was discovered to have experienced three outbreaks of Legionnaires Disease spanning from July 2015 to the fall of this year. The disease led to the death of 13 veterans and infected another 61 other residents. Despite receiving more than $6 million in taxpayer money to update the home’s water supply and other safety standards to prevent this disease from spreading, the location continued to face outbreaks.

“It’s clear that the Rauner administration cannot take care of our most vulnerable Veterans. He should have taken personal responsibility to solve this serious problem back in 2015″ Marine Veteran Kifowit said. “This is another example of failure of the Rauner administration and shows that it is true, he hasn’t been in charge. I support a full investigation of the conditions of all our Veterans homes, and extensive legislative hearings detailing this failure of the administration”.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added that the Quincy facility’s plumbing system still poses risks to the health of residents and staff who live and work there. The CDC has noted that due to the building’s old age that completely eradicating Legionella is “very challenging.”

“As Americans, we owe so much to our veterans, and they deserve better than to fall victim to a preventable disease,” Riley said. “Clearly, the governor is not on top of this terrible situation, and he and the Department of Veterans Affairs need to answer for the lack of attention to this issue and explain to the families of the victims why this was allowed to happen.”

Chapa LaVia, Kifowit, Costello and Riley, all of whom are veterans, are demanding there to be a full investigation and legislative hearings to pass legislation that will demand the Governor to implement higher safety standards in veteran homes across Illinois in order to prevent more service men and women from dying from easily preventable diseases.

“As a veteran of the United States Army during Operation Desert Storm, I am disgusted to find out about the treatment of my fellow service members at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy,” Costello said. “It is time for us to take action and prevent another outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease by modernizing the facility.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:11 pm

Comments

Whoever is in charge of the executive branch needs to take a more personal interest in their job.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:16 pm
All this seems ripe for an ad tying this to Rauner’s previous string of nursing homes takeovers.

There does seem to be an issue with Rauner when it comes to an empathetic understanding of … well, anyone and everyone.

A crappy motorcycle cut and a thumbs-up beside a plate of pancakes won’t work with this. Not by a longshot. This needs someone able to … take charge.

Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:21 pm
Have those representing Quincy been advocating strongly enough ?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:24 pm
Total BS that these folks who volunteered to serve got sick. It is also a tragic truth that both parties love to play the patriotic game using vet issues.

Comment by Texas Red Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:25 pm
Even in this hyper-political environment, Comptroller Mendoza somehow manages to make me do a double-take with her over the top politicization of everything. She runs her office like a snarky campaign press shop. Do your actual job, and stop it with the constant rhetoric and press-seeking sound bites.

Comment by Cry Uncle Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:29 pm
Why is the IL comptroller using her official twitter account to hurl bombs at the Governor? Calling it a textbook coverup before having all the facts is pretty bold. Maybe she should switch over to her personal account.

Comment by Iggy Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:31 pm
I’d like to know the truth. Our veterans deserve respect and a safe environment. Yes. Let’s find out what happened with respect to these deaths –and why.

But the the piling on looks orchestrated and premature without full vetting and disclosure as to facts. Mendoza in particular once again shows unnecessary partisanship that very often anymore seems to go well beyond the duties and knowledge in her elected office as she freely uses her controller’s title and feed to pontificate. As Rich said in another post, how about if people “Think before you post.”

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:33 pm
Anon at 2:24, way to blame the victims.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:37 pm
This is the kind of issue that crosses party lines AND has legs. If Rauner doesn’t act immediately, I suspect he will be hearing about this all the way to the general election.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:38 pm
===If it’s Rauner’s office, then he didn’t inform the public (including family members of the afflicted) for weeks about the outbreak.===

This is going to be the question that will be asked as this release states, with a timetable stamp and ownership within that timing.

What’s unacceptable is the failure of governing. When governing fails, sometimes it’s life or otherwise. Mistakes and failing to correct mistakes is also part of owning what all governors own, the well being of the state and her people.

Now is the time for this administration to “fix” what needs correcting, and take upon itself the responsibility an administration does when a governor takes that oath and becomes the one in charge.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:39 pm
When they did the repair work to the Quincy Vets Home after the first round of Legionnaires, they were still in the midst of the budget impasse. Without appropriations, how did they even pay for the work being done? Was DVA paying for the work or another agency?

Comment by ImNotTaylorSwift Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:42 pm
Calling it a cover up seems excessive. They didn’t hit the panic button and broadcast it everywhere at the first hint of a problem. In hindsight that looks bad, but at the same time crying wolf and creating a panic would also cause hardship and problems, and possibly have adverse effects on their resident’s health. We should re examine decisions and procedures and look for ways to improve, but this whole crucifying thing is a bit much.

Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:52 pm
To the Update:

I see where Mendoza is coming from. The Rauner administration had their first case sometime in July. They didn’t notify the public, residents, or their families until the end of August.

Bad. Thing. Very bad.

Comment by kibbit Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:53 pm
- ImNotTaylorSwift -

Happy Birthday (Exclamation Point)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift

Comment by ughhh Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:54 pm
Go to the WBEZ report. Scroll down to the subheading, ‘We have a situation at the Quincy home’, and then decide if you think Rauner’s Administration stalled.

Maybe Rauner should do a little reading of the news before doing an official statement. It might come back to bite him after all the facts are out there.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:54 pm
Ives’ rhetoric. Jeez. He really would be wise to avoid any debates with her. She’ll just yell at him until he breaks.

Comment by PJ Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:58 pm
“We’re really on top of the situation,” Rauner said.
— Bruce Rauner, July 2016

http://www.wgem.com/story/32552477/2016/07/Wednesday/illinois-governor-visits-veterans-home-in-quincy

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 2:59 pm
My wish for the new year: one — just one! — debate between Rauner and Ives.

As over-the-top Ives is — and sounds here — she’ll devastate Rauner in a debate. The prospect of seeing Rauner defending his “record” against an all-in Ives will be the high point of the coming year.

If it happens, that is.

Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:00 pm
@ughhh Thanks, but I’m not Taylor Swift; you can call me Becky.

Comment by ImNotTaylorSwift Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:01 pm
“This report is sickening. As a veteran, and the daughter and granddaughter of soldiers, it goes without saying that I understand the depth and significance of the sacrifice our men and women in uniform make.”
Really? No one say you leading the charge to appropriate funds to fix the problem

Comment by ste_with_a_v_en Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:01 pm
Last week, when I said I’m not in charge, yeah, that applies to this too.

Comment by Rotro Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:03 pm
“the the piling on looks orchestrated and premature without full vetting and disclosure as to facts”

“Orchestrated”?

You really think outrage over the deaths of 13 veterans in state-run homes needs some kind of top-down coordination? Nope. Everyone outside the governor’s camp is outraged by these deaths.

“Premature”?

How many veterans need to die before everyone is allowed to criticize the state’s executive for their deaths? In my opinion, a dozen was more than enough.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:03 pm
–..but this whole crucifying thing is a bit much.–

I’d say “crucifying” is a wee bit excessive.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:07 pm
Show me one time that you have supported funding for State services or would you please just be quiet for once Representative Ives. We get it, Rauner has accountability for the home, but had it been in any appropriations bill, you would have slammed it. What a piece of work.

Comment by Redraider Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:09 pm
To Ives,

It’s that kind of stinging, it’s uncomfortable to read, let alone have a time respond to… with her statement.

It’s tough to the heartstrings, but almost so brash, it’s allowing a discussion that will be far more raw than just terse words and focusing on responsibility and accountability… a line Ives is crossing with directness and plain-speak.

I’m stunned.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:10 pm
The Ives people have done themselves a service when it comes to press releases. It feels like they took what JBs people were doing, and added a little IPI edge to it without going too far over the top. Nice work, Jeanne. Nice work.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:19 pm
Second attempt to post -

Problems with VA homes must be systematic or endemic both regionally and nationally.

I read the St. Louis media and listen to KMOX. Both have done stories about the horrendous conditions and deplorable care being afforded at their veterans home. Thank goodness they have not had the Legionnaires’ deaths but they must be dealing with equally challenging conditions relating to the quality of care or lack of it their veterans are getting.

There is a big difference though. Eric Greitens ( remember he was one of those RepubGovs that said Rauner had failed Illinois ) is mad as hell, is taking responsibility for quickly resolving their problems and is going to make immediate changes.

And our Governor issues a statement, deflecting responsibility and never acknowledging that there are ongoing problems. Lame.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:20 pm
“Legionella is a virus that is a growing concern in the U.S., not just in Illinois.”

Legionella is a bacteria, not a virus. Glad you’re concerned… now, maybe if you were informed… you could, I don’t know… help people?

Comment by Nortorious RBG Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:24 pm
Good job Chris Kennedy. That statement is clear and firm and pitch perfect and puts the veterans at the center of this issue where they belong.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:26 pm
===Also, governor, it’s a bacteria, not a virus.===

Oof. That doesn’t exactly instill a lot of confidence that Team Rauner will get this fixed, does it?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:26 pm
Ives certainly can handle the cognitive dissonance of her current rhetoric and her staunch support of Rauner’s squeeze-the-beast policies.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:26 pm
–“Legionella is a virus that is a growing concern in the U.S., not just in Illinois.”

Legionella is a bacteria, not a virus–

BTIA(TM) strikes again.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:29 pm
“Why is the IL comptroller using her official twitter account to hurl bombs at the Governor? Calling it a textbook coverup before having all the facts is pretty bold. Maybe she should switch over to her personal account.”

Honestly did her team mean to tweet this from a non government official account? I am genuinely confused on how this kind of campaign rhetoric can be allowed from an official account.

Comment by Logan Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:32 pm
If the CDC is really in control, maybe the gov should just let them put out the press statements too so the public gets accurate information ala the whole virus vs. bacteria thingy.

https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/index.html

Legionnaires’ (LEE-juh-nares) disease is caused by a type of bacterium called Legionella (LEE-juh-nell-a). The bacterium is named after a 1976 outbreak, during which some people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion suffered from a new type of pneumonia (lung infection) that became known as Legionnaires’ disease.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:36 pm
Anonymous @2:37. I was referring to the elected representatives who cover Quincy, and this Veterans Home. I’m not accusing them or trolling them. I’d like to know if they did their job - Don’t know where you are coming from “way to blame the victims’

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:38 pm
Whereas Ives gets to the point like a stiletto, Rauner hems and haws, “um’s” and ‘uh’s”, and laughs when he’s caught lying. She will shred him in a debate. He is bug eyed fearful of a debate and will find some excuse to chicken out.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:44 pm
Wasn’t this all happening about the time Rauner decided to bargain on a stopgap budget because half the toilets weren’t working at Corrections, the food vendors had stopped delivering, and garbage was starting to pile-up where it should not?

Patterns can, and should be, expected and respected. What was really happening at the Veteran’s home during Rauner’s nightmare reign over his agencies as he starved them to fight his fake-war with you-know-who.

Comment by cdog Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:47 pm
“Governor Rauner isn’t in charge, because he never took charge. And 13 veterans, or spouses of veterans, are now dead because of it.”

Ouch

Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:48 pm
Old news locally. Second “Outbreak” (if you can call it that) in local paper and on tv locally about two-three weeks ago. Easy for anyone who bothers to pay any attention to Forgotonia to pick up on it early. I’ve had a full (if informal and unauthorized) briefing on what was done to correct the situation the first time. It was impressive and smacked of massive overkill. This second “outbreak” is really hard to figure out. Yes, before the first outbreak the water system was, politely put, a disaster waiting to happen. They fixed, changed every possible cause situation. Water borne bacteria are easy to handle (heat and chemicals) but sneaky and hard to find. No, I do not work for the state or have relatives working at the Veterans Home.

Comment by Quincian Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:49 pm
==He is bug eyed fearful of a debate and will find some excuse to chicken out.==

You might have to go out of state or even to Canada to find a moderator for this debate. That’s the job no one would want.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:54 pm
Ives make Rauner look like a very sad, very weak individual. Sharp press release from her.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:57 pm
Professional Union employees are trained to clean/fix mechanical equipment that produces Legionella bacteria independent of which political party is in charge. I hope the investigations look into more than just the politics. Veterans died - the companies and their workforce need to be held accountable as well.

Comment by Trained Union Workers Needed Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 4:02 pm
Raunerbots: reads story about deaths in veterans home due to outbreak of treatable bacterial disease
Raunerbots: reads story about new veterans home sitting unfinished for Rauner’s entire term
Raunerbots: reads part of story detailing 2 month delay informing resident and families about outbreak
Raunerbots: reads part detailing how families were told residents were fine, when residents had in fact already died

Raunerbot reaction: “How dare Comptroller Mendoza make comments!?! Stop crucifying poor Bruce !1!1!1”

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 4:35 pm
Where was the Quincy Herald Whiq?

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 4:45 pm
I get an email from my kids’ elementary school whenever a child comes down with strep, etc.

Rauner administration has news of a deadly bacteria outbreak at one of his facilities and sits on the news for atleast a month.

If this had occurred at a private daycare, nursing home, hospital, or other state licensed facility, regulators would have closed the place down, not swept the problem under the rug.

Kudos to Pritzker, Mendoza, Cullerton and Ives for putting a floodlight on the problem.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 4:57 pm
ImNotTaylorSwift - I hope you had a birthday cake with candles for the big 28 at the Office today.

This is a tragedy and it did happen during the budget impasse. It’s the result of years of infrastructure neglect by the state. I hope they figure it out soon and then invest in upkeep at other state buildings to prevent these types of events in the future.

Comment by Taylor Swift Obsession Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 5:09 pm
This is what happens when the governor refuses to perform the duties of his office. Rauner admitted he is not in charge.

We need to make sure the next governor knows how to perform the governor’s duties.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 6:58 pm
Did any of the geniuses in the Rauner admin even solicit estimates to replace the piping? $500 million sounds like an absurdity, and I’m in the business.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 7:23 pm
This issue began long before Rauner came into office, the years of neglect by previous administrations share in the blame. Rauner is not innocent either, the symptoms surfaced under his tenure and he failed to properly address them. And of course he knows little about the disease based on him calling it a virus. Had he maybe read the CDC report he would have known it is a bacteria and what leads to its development and how it is transferred.

This is being politicized at the price of lives. All of these politicians are calling for investigations, why are they not calling to meet and get the work done? Will a true leader step up and demand the work get done?

Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 7:38 pm
There is no way that running new pipes should cost $500 million.

Per the IVHQuincy.org website there are 1,000,000 sq ft there.

Per this article, on BeckersHospitalreview.com, facilities management page,
a NEW hospital $/ft is –

1. Honolulu: $475 to $760 per square foot
2. New York City: $475 to $700
3. Los Angeles: $470 to $700
4. San Francisco: $450 to $650
5. Boston: $400 to $650
5. Washington. D.C.: $400 to $650
6. Chicago: $360 to $630
7. Portland, Ore.: $380 to $525
8. Seattle: $385 to $530
9. Phoenix: $350 to $500
10. Denver: $370 to $455
11. Las Vegas: $285 to $455

So we are supposed to look the other way while taxpayers are asked to spend $500/ft for a remodel project?

There is something seriously wrong here in Illinois.

(cross-posted)

Comment by cdog Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 8:05 pm
The best part of this that nobody knows is that IL OSHA had zero industrial hygienist because poor management of that division pushed nearly every professional employee out.

I hope that’s part of the lawsuit.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 14, 17 @ 6:25 am
I’M not Taylor Swift
This was done under an emergency project at CDB using emergency funds. FYI

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 14, 17 @ 6:54 am
$500 million? I didnt realize Munger was affiliated with a plumbing firm

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Dec 14, 17 @ 6:56 am
Rauner would step down if he had any sense of responsibility. How many deaths have occurred under this man’s watch? Smh

Comment by Sandy Thursday, Dec 14, 17 @ 9:48 am