Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

* UPDATED x7 - DGA, Pritzker, Morthland, Kifowit criticize - Rauner admin explains * Rauner on Quincy Legionnaires’ outbreak: “These things happen”

Posted in:

Illinois
Updated Posts

* More from Gov. Rauner’s interview with the Joliet Herald-News editorial board…

Herald-News: We wanted to ask you about something in the news recently about the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. Your opponents were coming down on you not taking responsibility in their eyes. Do you want to respond to that?

Rauner: It’s so false. First of all, it’s heartbreaking. I take care for our residents, all our residents, especially our veterans very seriously. We go above and beyond to take care of our veterans. We had an outbreak of Legionella at that facility. Our team took immediate, strong action. We brought in national experts, brought in the CDC, spent $6.5 million on a new filtration system, changed the protocols, did everything possible to improve the situation and keep people safe there. We got rave reviews and appropriate support from the national experts.

Since then we’ve had a few incidences of Legionella infection and we’ve checked and made sure we’re doing all the protocols, etc. The reality is, and this is what’s not getting into the reports, the Legionella bacteria is in most water systems in Illinois. There were just two infections of Legionnaires at Northwestern Hospital, which is not even an old facility and I think is regarded as a really well-run facility. These things happen.

With our veterans, many of them are in their late 80s and 90s (and are) vulnerable to getting sick. They don’t have a strong immune system. So the reality is that there’s some risk but in all facilities there’s risk. We’re getting criticized. We went the extra step. Normally for years, these issues have been going on in Illinois. We actually wanted to find out what was causing it.

* Pritzker campaign…

Bruce Rauner once again refused to take responsibility for his fatal mismanagement of the Legionnaires crisis in Quincy, boasting of the “rave reviews” his response got, despite the fact that 13 lives were lost on his watch.

While Rauner claims he took “immediate, strong action,” WBEZ reported that his administration waited 6 days to alert the public that the outbreak looked like the “beginning of an epidemic.” Explaining the recent outbreaks in 2016 and 2017 — the latter killing a Korean War Veteran — Rauner deflected, saying, “these things happen.”

“Thirteen Illinoisans lost their lives to the Legionnaires crisis and Bruce Rauner is bragging about his response from one side of his mouth and deflecting responsibility from the other,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “‘These things happen’ when a governor entirely fails to take charge of the state he is supposed to lead and leaves the most vulnerable to pay the ultimate price.”

* DGA…

“Illinois veterans died under state supervision and all Bruce Rauner can muster are excuses why his administration should not be blamed,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner’s consistent knee-jerk rejection of responsibility for any of his failures shows exactly where his priorities lie. Rauner seems more interested in washing away this scandal than actually addressing any of the outstanding questions surrounding his administration’s botched response to the Quincy Veterans’ Home.”

*** UPDATE 1 *** Sun-Times…

Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday night checked himself into the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy — and plans to stay there for several nights as a show of support for the home whose management came under fire amid outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease.

“I believe he arrived around 9:3o p.m or 10 p.m.,” State Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, said on Thursday morning, noting his plan is to spend several nights there.

“Obviously the word is getting out with the residents and staff,” Tracy said.

The governor, she said, “wanted to show his support for the veteran’s home and for the safety of the residents.”

The governor’s office did not immediately respond to comment on the stay. Rauner has not had a public event since Dec. 20.

Thoughts?

*** UPDATE 2 *** From the governor’s office…

Hi Rich,

The Governor is in Quincy staying at the Illinois Veterans Home. He plans to spend several days there with the residents and staff. He wants to gain a more thorough understanding of the clinical, water-treatment, and residential operations of the home.

Rachel Bold
Press Secretary
Office of Governor Bruce Rauner

*** UPDATE 3 *** Tribune…

Rauner’s stay comes as the Illinois House and Senate veterans affairs committees are scheduled to hold an investigatory hearing on Tuesday in Chicago. In preparation, several lawmakers toured the home on Wednesday, including Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, a Democrat from Oswego.

The Marine Corps veteran described the visit as an “introductory tour” in which lawmakers visited one residential facility, met with some survivors who contracted the disease, and learned about the new water treatment facility.

Kifowit said officials must provide more answers about why outbreaks continued after a new water treatment system was installed and provide more details about procedures and protocols for checking on patients. She said the facility’s ventilation system should also be looked at, questioning if it’s possible that Legionella bacteria was being transmitted through the air on warm, humid days.

“He should have been visiting the home constantly in 2015 and 2016 to make sure the veterans were safe and taken care of,” Kifowit said, calling the Rauner stay “symbolic.” “He’s a day late and a dollar short.”

*** UPDATE 4 *** Another one piles on…

"I grew up on the farm & ya learn pretty early, if it looks like a duck & walks like a duck & talks like a duck, it's a duck. This looks like a damage control publicity stunt." - @JeanneIves running-mate Rich Morthland on @GovRauner in #Quincy @wlsam890 pic.twitter.com/VZvK1JrdRJ

— Bill Cameron (@billjcameron) January 4, 2018

*** UPDATE 5 *** Pritzker campaign…

Last night, instead of showing up with solutions, Bruce Rauner visited the Quincy Veterans’ home for a political stunt. Rauner’s last visit was a year and a half ago.

With the Legionnaires crisis in its third year, Rauner has suddenly found an urgent need to “gain a more thorough understanding of the clinical, water-treatment and residential operations of the home.” The visit conveniently coincides with a General Assembly investigatory hearing on Bruce Rauner’s gross mismanagement of the Legionnaires crisis set for next week.

“Three years into a devastating crisis that took the lives of thirteen veterans and spouses and Bruce Rauner is conducting a political stunt complete with no solutions and a firm commitment to evading responsibility,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Families who lost loved ones and heroes who are still at risk don’t need a photo op with their failed governor, they need someone willing to take charge of this state.”

*** UPDATE 6 *** DGA…

Last night, Governor Bruce Rauner checked into the Quincy Veterans’ Home in an attempt to quiet growing questions about his administration’s botched response to Legionnaires’ outbreaks there. In three years, 13 veterans’ home residents have died from the disease and two WBEZ reports have called into question how Rauner’s administration responded to the first outbreak in 2015.

While Rauner stays in Quincy, perhaps he can answer these questions:

Why did the Rauner administration wait six days before telling the public or families of residents about the outbreak, which one infectious disease expert called “mind-boggling”?

When did Governor Rauner learn of the outbreak? What did he talk about with IDVA Director Erica Jeffries when they attended an event together during the middle of the outbreak?

Why were some sick residents, who later died, not getting tested or treated for Legionnaires’ disease even though your administration confirmed the outbreak to the CDC?

Why did Rauner say in 2016 that his administration was “really on top of the situation” if he is just now getting a “more thorough understanding” of the problem?

At least one family claims that Rauner’s administration never tried contacting them after the death of their father. Why has Rauner not reached out to the families of the deceased?

Has anyone in the administration been held accountable for the outbreak response?

In an editorial board meeting yesterday, Rauner deflected blame for the 13 deaths by pointing out the veterans’ home residents had weak immune systems, claiming “rave reviews” for his response, and arguing that “these things happen.”

“Bruce Rauner’s stunt does not hide the fact that he has not addressed hard questions about his administration’s botched response to the Legionnaires’ outbreak,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Thirteen families lost loved ones and deserve to know what happened. They need more than what Governor Rauner is offering.”

*** UPDATE 7 *** Governor’s office…

Hey Rich,

I wanted to make sure you were aware that Governor Rauner has made several visits to the Quincy Veterans Home throughout his time in office. The Governor visited on October 14, 2015, July 27, 2016, and recently as December 8, 2017.

Rachel Bold
Press Secretary
Office of Governor Bruce Rauner

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:43 am

Comments

Sounds and looks like Mayor Jane Byrne moving into Cabrini Green.

What good did that do her.

Comment by MOON Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:51 am
That approach worked out well for ‘Jane byrne

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:52 am
“These things happen” and “I’m not in charge” are the two d*nming quotes the Dems need to rinse and repeat, because Ives sure will be doing that. And, I’m sure that, “These things happen,” will be the focus of many questions both at the Jan. 9th hearing, and in all of the families’ lawsuits. When you combine, “These things happen,” with the timeline of events surrounding the deaths (lack of simple urine tests for the disease after days of a high temp and already documented cases on site, for instance), “these things” do not just happen spontaneously. Human error and human indifference appear to be major contributing factors.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:52 am
“These things happen”–Just like in his nursing homes.

Comment by G'Kar Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:52 am
Not sure this PR stunt will work.

It just draws more attention to the mistakes made and the delays apparent from the timeline Rich posted awhile back.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:53 am
Just a publicity stunt

Comment by Romeo Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:53 am
As far as publicity stunts go, this isn’t a bad one, but don’t you want to announce it ahead of time to make a bigger deal out of it? Slipping in at 9:30 at night robs you of some of the headlines.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:55 am
Meanwhile, “These things happen”…yowch. That’s as bad as “I’m not in charge.”

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:55 am
=don’t you want to announce it ahead of time to make a bigger deal out of it= I highly doubt that this is a covert effort. I expect that Rauner brought plenty of cameras with him and we’ll be seeing and hearing more about this in yet to air ads. In fact he’s probably trying to see how many residents he can get to utter the word “Madigan” right now.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:57 am
These things do happen in Rauner owned nursing homes…

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 9:57 am
The timeline Rich put together before the holidays does not support the governor’s picture of engaged, informed and competent executive branch management.

A Jane Byre, Cabrini-Green publicity stunt now doesn’t turn back the clock, when positive actions could have made a difference.

It’s self-serving, only meant to shine up the governor’s image.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:00 am
Does he get a badge for his leather vest for this?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:03 am
==We got rave reviews==

Not from the families of the 13 lost.

Comment by Sugar Corn Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:05 am
The t-shirts almost write themselves :”My Governor stayed at the Quincy Veterans Home and all I got was this stupid Legionnaire’s Disease”

Comment by Han's Solo Cup Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:07 am
Well, his incompetence helped create the “ empty beds” might as well help fill them up

Comment by Redraider Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:08 am
== I expect that Rauner brought plenty of cameras with him and we’ll be seeing and hearing more about this in yet to air ads.==

Did he? I didn’t see any footage on the morning news. They missed a trick with the earned media.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:08 am
==These things happen.==
Not to rich people with Cadillac health benefits.

Comment by Sonny Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:11 am
Will he be drinking bottled water? Just saying.

Comment by justpeachy Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:12 am
No matter what Rauner does there were 13 deaths under his watch.

13 deaths.

That’s a lot of death.

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:12 am
Let me guess . . . he was wearing a Carhartt?

Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:13 am
As part of his stay, is he reimbursing the facility the cost of his room and board or is the Rauner Foundation going to cut a check for facility improvements? {sigh}

How much does the facility charge to live there?

Comment by Sigh Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:13 am
The issue for this campaign will be how much money it takes to overcome such a terrible candidate.

These things happen?
A sitting governor saying he’s not in charge?

They go beyond unforced errors. That is simply how the man thinks.

Still, a big budget may still be enough to keep him in office.

Comment by Gooner Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:13 am
I was unaware he was a veteran.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:16 am
–They missed a trick with the earned media.–

You’re missing the play. A grand entrance would have been obnoxious and obviously self-serving.

Let it leak out after the fact, and you create the desired illusion of unselfish concern and engagement — hopefully, with some of the people, all of the time.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:19 am
Next thing you know Rauner will ask Madigan to join him for a Frat party at the home /s

Comment by MOON Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:21 am
==he arrived around 9:3o p.m==

Someone should check to see if any residents signed up for computer equipment.

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:25 am
This unfortunately exudes the air of a day late and a dollar short. The time to visit the QVH was August 2015.

It’s almost like Governor These Things Happen is bound and determined to ensure the outbreak remains front and center of the 2018 campaign.

Well, okay, if that’s the way he wants it.

Comment by dbk Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:27 am
overheard at Bingo: “If you lose, just blame Madigan.”

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:29 am
A new spin to the vote by mail outreach model- check candidate into a veterans home to increase name ID.

Anyone else find it odd that Senator Tracy knew when the Governor checked in? When was she notified about the stay and was she offered the opportunity to stay?

Comment by Olivia Pope Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:35 am
“These things happen”? How cavalier of him.

Comment by Christopher Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:35 am
==Let it leak out after the fact, and you create the desired illusion of unselfish concern and engagement ==

Only if people see it, and fewer will now.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:39 am
But is Rauner a veteran? Only veterans or spouses can be admitted there. Hmm.😞

Comment by Gr8estdane Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:40 am
He should really just shut up. Since this summer every time he opens his mouth, he trips.

Comment by Lt Guv Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:44 am
===We go above and beyond to take care of our veterans.===

That is why one of the first things he did in office was end the Welcome Home Heroes program.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:47 am
I wonder if there would have been an open bed if it wasn’t for his incompetence..

Comment by InvolvedMillennial Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:47 am
Pretty safe move on Rauners part. Little water vapor being created in sub zero temperatures!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:49 am
Today in the QHW- http://www.whig.com/20180104/bipartisan-group-supports-illinois-veterans-home#//

From that article- “Legionella bacteria, which is widely found during warm, wet months and can cause Legionnaires’ disease if it is inhaled in water droplets.”

To have a more realistic impact, Rauner should have “checked in” this past summer, not during the depths of the coldest winter in recent years.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 10:51 am
The way he talks so casually about how these things happen to folks in their 80s and 90s you’d never guess this is a guy who made millions off squeezing nursing homes to put profits over patient health and safety.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 11:06 am
The appropriateness of the state’s response in 2015 will always be subject to debate, but nearly 3 years into the administration and the Governor doesn’t know better than to say “these things happen”? I’ve met and spoke with the governor a couple of times around town and I can tell he thinks prior to talking, but apparently this technique goes out the window then he speaks with the press.

I have no clue what the stay at Quincy is trying to prove if the Governor himself has stated that Legionnaires is mainly harmful to those with compromised immune systems. He seems healthy enough so that if he is exposed, no worries. Seems to be more of an insult to the families with family member less healthy than Rauner than anything else.

Comment by Swift Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 11:12 am
What costume does he wear for this kind of event?

Comment by Flynn's Mom Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 11:30 am
Did he ever check himself in to one of his nursing homes?

Comment by Albany Park Patriot Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 11:39 am
Hope this is a trend.
Can’t wait for him to substitute teach at CPS.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 11:46 am
Will the governor be wearing a plumber costume during this fact-finding mission? I don’t remember a plumber in the Village People group, but it has been a while.

Comment by Ole' Nelson Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 11:58 am
I’m betting he wears a shirt with a name patch and plumber’s crack pants. And drops his “g’s” when talks with staff and residents.

Comment by illinoised Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 12:06 pm
===Will the governor be wearing a plumber costume===

No, but if he gets a chance to wear a soldier’s uniform he’ll be halfway to winning Village People bingo.

https://s2-ssl.dmcdn.net/JJ6RJ/526×297-4yN.jpg

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 12:22 pm
Make him stay there for the rest of his term.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 12:34 pm
Rauner should be safe there, because Legionnaire’s Disease only effects those of us with a heart.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 12:35 pm
IDPH would have shut down and moved the residents if this were a nursing home in addition to levying a huge fine.

Comment by retired guy Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 12:38 pm
he came in at night so no one could see him. most likely he is drinking bottle water. he’s doing nothing but using this as a camphane stop at tax payer dollars

Comment by quincy Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 12:40 pm
hey VanillaMan we don’t want him in Quincy how about your home town

Comment by quincy Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 12:43 pm
The question isn’t whether 1.4% is drinking bottled water, it is whether he us going to take a shower. It is bacteria in the water mist that causes the disease.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 12:58 pm
“I grew up on the farm & ya learn pretty early, if it looks like a duck & walks like a duck & talks like a duck, it’s a duck. This looks like a damage control publicity stunt.”

So if Bruce is a Duck, does that make Ives a Loon?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 1:29 pm
I’m sure this stunt is a great use of the facility’s resources.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 1:40 pm
I think Rauner was in the service. All the companies that did business with him called him Sgt. Bilko.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 1:46 pm
‘Illinoised’….is there a name patch “***hole”?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 1:48 pm
Now Rauner has a bright shiny new medal on his biker vest saying “These things happen.” It goes right by the “I’m not in charge” flair.

Comment by IllinoisBoi Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 2:08 pm
First, please know that I’m far from a fan of the Gov, but I do believe the heat he is taking on this serious issue is unfair.
1. The Gov’s “These things happen” quote followed his pointing out that Northwestern Hospital recently had Legionella cases - he was not callously referring to people dying.
2. As for his spending time at the facility this week, when should he have gone? Not in the middle of the outbreak, that truly would have been a distraction from the work that needed to be done. Additionally, I’m willing to bet that the vast majority of veterans appreciate his presence this week.
3. Moving all the residents at the time of the outbreak would have been unwise and would have likely resulted in even more deaths due to lack of continuity of care and transition trauma by the veterans.

Comment by We'll See Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 2:35 pm
—3. Moving all the residents at the time of the outbreak would have been unwise and would have likely resulted in even more deaths due to lack of continuity of care and transition trauma by the veterans.—

I have to disagree with this comment. Transition trauma, really? Some of those veterans were alert and knew what was going on. One even said he didn’t feel well and was given Tylenol. When their friends started dying within days of each other, you don’t think that was traumatic for them? They probably thought they were next.

Comment by Sigh Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 2:53 pm
“2. As for his spending time at the facility this week, when should he have gone?” I think that’s part of the point, his stay there has no point. I agree, he should have not stayed there during the peak of the crisis, but he should not have waited to actually do anything about it either.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 3:19 pm
Kifowit critical of anyone being a “day late and a dollar short” is hilarious as anyone that has had a conversation with her would surely understand.

Comment by Just Visiting Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 3:32 pm
- Sigh @ 2:53 -
“When their friends started dying within days of each other, you don’t think that was traumatic for them? They probably thought they were next.”

I apologize if this comes across as cold and insensitive - people in their 80s and 90s living in a nursing/veterans home understand that people die as they witness it all too often.

So sorry if anyone takes offence.

Most elderly people I know do not fear death as much as they fear having to leave their homes and friends, ergo my citation of transition trauma.

Comment by We'll See Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 3:47 pm
When even the headline calls it a stunt lol:

http://rockrivertimes.com/2018/01/04/rauner-pulls-photo-stunt-staying-at-veterans-home-during-legionnaires-crisis/

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 5:02 pm
Was it Jaws or Jaws 2 where the mayor forces the councilman to make him and his family get in the water shortly after an attack?

Comment by Baloneymous Thursday, Jan 4, 18 @ 5:25 pm
—I apologize if this comes across as cold and insensitive - people in their 80s and 90s living in a nursing/veterans home understand that people die as they witness it all too often.—

Yes, they witness it all too often, but death usually occurrs as a result of natural causes, cancer, a heart attack or complications from a stroke, NOT from a bacteria that was preventable.

I’ve had family members that resided in nursing homes. I also assisted with the care of my grandfather, who was of sound mind and passed away at 92 from cancer.

Comment by Sigh Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 12:23 am
Govenor not in charge, did northwestern wait six days to act, like you did, s***t happens

Comment by Rabid Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:41 am
“on things that I control, I give myself an A” ; worst GOP govenor

Comment by Rabid Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:59 am