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* Gov. Rauner was asked by the Decatur Herald & Review today about his comment yesterday that his administration had handled the situation at the Quincy veterans’ home “exceptionally well and we would not do anything different.” Rauner’s response…
Gov. Rauner: I feel horrible. These are our heroes, I feel devastated. It’s heartbreaking that a veteran would pass away. Goodness gracious. in my whole life, as a private citizen and as governor, I’ve worked hard to support our veterans and do everything possible to help them, protect them, keep them healthy. My point is, there’s a lot of false political attacks right now, second-guessing. The reality is, we brought in as soon as we found somebody got infected we actually found the cause… And we brought in the national experts immediately and we immediately implemented every one of their recommendations. […]
Reporter: So, you stand by your comment that you don’t regret any of your handling or your administration’s handling of the situation in Quincy.
Gov. Rauner: We’ve done everything that experts have recommended and we’ve gone beyond what the experts have recommended.
They’ve “immediately” implemented “everything” the experts recommended? Hmm.
* Earlier this week, the Capital Development Board released its “Legionella Response Plan” for Quincy. There are several references to an August, 2016 report submitted to CDB by BRiC Partnership, LLC…
August of 2016, BRIC was asked to develop additional measures that could be taken to further reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence, knowing that not all measures were taken in the initial response. BRiC produced a report, entitled IVHQ Legionella Response Plan 2016, Proposed Project Elements, dated August 5, 2016.
So, does the highlighted text mean they didn’t do everything they could in 2015?
I dunno, but whatever the case, BRiC’s 2016 report was never made public. The AP tried to obtain information about any capital plans for the Quincy facility last month after WBEZ broke its big Quincy veterans’ home story in December, but its FOIA was denied.
* The secret report also appears to have been shelved without much action taken. In January, the month after the WBEZ investigation became big news, the Rauner administration went back to BRiC and asked for a new report. From that aforementioned CDB report this week…
In January of 2018, the Capital Development Board asked BRiC to update the August 5, 2016 document, with particular focus on replacing all site and building piping and any other work item we believed would present synergistic benefit.
* From BriC’s memo within the CDB report…
We have been tasked with updating our cost estimates from the August 5, 2016 study and to provide a construction cost estimate to replace building piping in all buildings on campus.
…Adding… Man, if I knew the DGA was putting together a complete transcript and a video snip from the Decatur newspaper appearance, I might’ve saved myself some time and energy. Click here.
…Adding More… The governor’s office claims that Rauner was referring to the Centers for Disease Control when he talked about the experts. He never said that today, but that’s what they’re saying now.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 3:37 pm
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Why are they attacking Bruce Rauner? He’s not in charge.
(That comment works all day, every day.)
Comment by Keyrock Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 3:42 pm
“Gov. Rauner: I feel horrible. These are our heroes, I feel devastated. It’s heartbreaking that a veteran would pass away. Goodness gracious.”
So, children, can you say “crocodile tears”? Sure you can. I knew you could.
Comment by IllinoisBoi Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 3:45 pm
Rainer, to little too late to apologize. Question that remains is what is being done for these veteran right now?
Comment by FormerParatrooper Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 3:50 pm
Take that trust CDB link and then scroll to the bottom of page 11:
The August 5, 2016 report focused on buildings where commonly susceptible populations either live
or regularly visit; susceptible being defined as elderly and/or those populations likely to have
weakened immune systems; this condition pertains to 15 buildings as follows: Neilson Dietary,
Fletcher Barracks, Elmore Infirmary, Somerville Barracks, Schapers Hospital, Anderson Barracks, Smith Hall, Lippencott Hall, Guesthouse, All Faiths Chapel, Reig/Museum Building, Library, Markword Infirmary, Fifer Infirmary and the Multitherapy Building.
With the February 5, 2018 report, we include work scope and accompanying construction cost
estimates for 31 buildings, inclusive of the 15 hereinbefore mentioned. A complete list follows in the Cost Estimate Summary which follows. Refer also to this list for buildings which have copper pipe and buildings which have galvanized steel pipe.
One of the residence buildings, Fifer Hall is a relatively new building, with copper domestic water piping; continuous sampling since the summer of 2015 has never tested positive for Legionella
bacteria.
OK, so they’ve known new plumbing appears to address the problem.
In 2016 they got an engineering plan and estimate for replacing old plumbing in the 15 buildings home to residents most at risk of infection.
They apparently did nothing and refuse to release that plan.
The come back in 2018, after it has hit the fan, and ask the engineering firm to give them a plan to replace all the pluming everywhere.
Yeah, that’s targeted, focused government for ya.
Comment by Leigh John-Ella Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 3:51 pm
No ad on this crisis.
No ad on the “blind trust - broken trust”
Rauner gets away with these things because other campaigns won’t put to voters Ads that describe hard hitting policy issues like this.
Rauner wins the day again.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 3:52 pm
If Jeanne and Proft were smart they’d have an ad already done and put it in the Olympics Opening tonight. Pride of the USA vs 13 dead veterans and spouses.
13 Veterans dies- I think we handled it exceptionally well
All day everyday until the polls close March 20
Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 3:55 pm
Nit picking. What has he done as a private citizen to help vets?
Maybe his charitable donations have and I hope so but since he brought it up be more specific.
Does he ever think before he speaks? Is he just awkward or socially inept for a politician?
Really no one can lie that much on purpose. Perhaps his mouth goes before his brain is fully engaged
Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 4:06 pm
OW said: “Rauner gets away with these things because other campaigns won’t put to voters Ads that describe hard hitting policy issues like this.”
Yes, that’s the worst aspect of the tragedy of the 13 deaths at Quincy. Rauner doesn’t care, and no one else seems to really care, either.
Comment by IllinoisBoi Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 4:09 pm
DS,
I think it’s his disconnect. He likes to point out he’s donated “millions” to this group or that cause and somehow he believes he should be beyond reproach for his decisions and actions as governor. “Of course I care. I donated money as a private citizen. That proves my empathy.” He either doesn’t recognize the incongruence of his words vs. his actions or he does recognize it but hopes the electorate doesn’t. I also thinks it irks him to no end that the ‘peasants’ are questioning him.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 4:19 pm
1.4% get caught in a lie and spins an other tale.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 4:24 pm
Hopefully this is fatal to Rauner’s disastrous governorship
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 4:25 pm
Methinks the VA situation may blow up in Rauner’s face much like the Willis family deaths did with format Governor Ryan.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 4:29 pm
===Methinks the VA situation may blow up in Rauner’s face much like the Willis family deaths did with format Governor Ryan.===
Only if he’s held to account and the story’s not allowed to wither away into obscurity.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 4:38 pm
Rauner should stay outta Decatur. Fills his mess kit every trip.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 4:39 pm
==It’s heartbreaking that a veteran would pass away.==
Umm, no. 13 veterans DIED from a preventable disease. Had people been made aware, or steps taken to eradicate the bacteria, the number of deaths could have been far less.
Comment by Jocko Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 5:03 pm
Not on topic. Hey Chicago. I am jealous. Can ya send about 4″of snow down south. I am tired of looking at ugly brown grass.
Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 5:06 pm
I wouldnt call that a walk back. A little weeping, but same defiance.
JB: you are in quicksand. Rauner keeps leaving himself open.
Take the shots now, while the issues are fresh. Hes taking you out. Take him out. At this rate, you may not be the candidate. Could be some pretty bitter regrets.
Comment by Langhorne Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 5:08 pm
–“Rauner gets away with these things because other campaigns won’t put to voters Ads that describe hard hitting policy issues like this.”–
The only one running against Rauner right now is Ives.
After the primary, you’ll see plenty on these topics regardless of the Dem nominee.
Lot of time between March and November.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 9, 18 @ 5:10 pm
===The only one running against Rauner right now is Ives.
After the primary, you’ll see plenty on these topics regardless of the Dem nominee.
Lot of time between March and November.===
- wordslinger -
With respect,
Wasn’t it you, also… that also wondered… aloud why Pritzker hasn’t engaged Rauner at a much heavier pace to get the heat off him (Pritzker)?
Why the change of heart now?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 9:09 am