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More precautions taken at Capitol Complex

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Illinois

Employees at the Illinois Capitol have been told to use just a “pencil-sized stream of water” to wash their hands after a test of the water system revealed the possible presence of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.

Officials announced the preliminary test results in an email sent late Monday evening. In recent weeks, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has faced criticism over how it handled a deadly outbreak of the disease at a state-run veterans home.

House Speaker Michael Madigan’s chief of staff, Tim Mapes, sent a memo Tuesday saying that until further tests are complete, “everyone in the Capitol is advised to have a pencil-sized stream of water when washing their hands” and “turn off all nebulizers and humidifiers.” The direction came after Democratic and Republican staff met with Secretary of State Jesse White’s office, health officials and environmental consultants.

It’s unclear how those washing their hands in bathrooms with automatic faucets should follow those guidelines, but White spokesman Henry Haupt said maintenance workers would remove faucet aerators. He said showers also would be disabled, including one in the governor’s office and those belonging to legislative leaders.

* SJ-R…

State Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, whose district office is in the Stratton Building, praised the quick response from state officials.

“I think what this underscores is that Legionella is pretty prevalent, and that that’s one of the things that came out in the story with Quincy,” where 13 residents of a state-run veterans home died after Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks, Butler said. “I was glad to see that both the administration through the governor’s office and the Secretary of State took pretty swift action to get the word out about it being found in the Capitol.”

Butler said his office will continue to monitor the situation and rely on those conducting the tests to make sure that the situation is resolved, a sentiment echoed by fellow Springfield-area state Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez.

“I think one of the challenges with this type of information is that people can become kind of worrisome,” said Jimenez, R-Leland Grove. “But I think what we have to do in these types of situations is rely on the experts and overcommunicate.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 2:43 pm

Comments

In other news: There are showers in those offices?

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 2:48 pm
let me just hit the “pencil sized stream” button on the automatic bathroom faucets

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 3:01 pm
Legionella II. “This time it’s personal”

Comment by Bissuvius Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 3:08 pm
All these precautions make me very hopeful that the state will also expend adequate resources to help the hundreds of schools with elevated lead levels in their water. There’s not much good news in the latest results from the mandated testing (that many school districts left for the end of 2017). And not just water fountains, but also kitchen sinks used for rinsing produce, etc.

Comment by yinn Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 3:21 pm
How’s everyone under the Dome handling the inevitable panic from this news? Lots of hysteria, I bet.

Are Gov. Rauner and Dr. Shah holding hands with and comforting the weeping adults who they believe can’t handle being informed of facts in a timely manner and making appropriate decisions for themselves and their loved ones?

Talk about Nanny State — don’t trouble the public with the truth. We’ll decide what they need to know, and when.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 3:26 pm
Guessin’ Sara and “Buts” Butler don’t need to be asked if they wished the Quincy vets would have had the same “swift action”

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 3:46 pm
Madigan and the contaminated water he controls.

Comment by m Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 3:55 pm
Why would someone have a nebulizer at work, especially accessible to others? Tim, could you get back to us on that?
Thanks.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 4:28 pm
Nebulizers are used to inhale liquid medications for breathing issues, and sometimes used for aromatherapy, making them potentially Legionaire’s Disease dispensers if tap water is used.

Comment by rivvedup Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 4:52 pm
Veterans home, the Capital… where else is the water contaminated? I think it is prudent to to check our own homes, no telling what is going on the plumbing that brings water to our homes.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Jan 24, 18 @ 6:03 pm