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Enough with the games, please

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Illinois

* DGA…

On Friday, Governor Bruce Rauner’s staff blew a deadline to deliver the legislature a plan on the future of the state-run Quincy Veterans’ Home. When Rauner first announced in January that his team would put together a plan, the fact that it was coming two-years into the Legionnaires’ crisis was not lost on the Chicago Tribune:

“More than 2 years after bacteria outbreak, Rauner proposes task force to figure out veterans home fixes.”

Four months and four more sick residents later, the administration missed the legislature’s deadline. But Rauner’s team did find time to finish a 35-page report pushing back against “misconceptions” about the state’s response to the crisis. The last “misconception” that needed “correction” was the argument “that the administration has not made this a top priority.”

“Bruce Rauner’s misplaced priorities and failed leadership are on display again at the state-run Quincy Veterans’ Home,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Two-and-a-half years and 13 deaths later, Rauner and his team are still more focused on covering-up their failures than ensuring the safety of Quincy residents.”

* WAND TV last week…

Members of the Illinois House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees are urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to deliver a plan by Friday for remedying a Legionnaires’ disease crisis at the Quincy veterans home.

The letter dated Monday was signed by Democratic chairmen of the committees, Sen. Thomas Cullerton and Rep. Linda Chapa Lavia. Also signing were Sen. Sam McCann and Rep. David McSweeney, both Republicans. […]

Rauner adviser Michael Hoffman promised a final report by May 1. He agreed last week to aim for Friday. Lawmakers want to act before their May 31 adjournment.

The governor’s veterans affairs director resigned on Friday, which is probably one reason why there was a “delay.”

Look, Hoffman promised a report by May 1st, which is tomorrow. I’m not sure why those members thought it necessary to advance Hoffman’s deadline by a few days and then scream that their deadline wasn’t met, but putting gubernatorial candidate Sam McCann on that letter is a major hint that their demand was overtly political. The fact that the DGA is jumping on this so heavily is yet another tell.

I’m told Hoffman will meet his deadline. If he doesn’t, then we can pounce. If he does, maybe we can all focus on the substance of his report and not all this political process nonsense.

The object here should be to fix the Quincy facility for the benefit of the residents.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 11:19 am

Comments

Fair points Rich.

But puttjng out that 35 page CYA report first shows this Administration’s true priorities.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 11:26 am
Once upon a time, political games were played, but were 20% of the overal activity - now 80% gamesmanship is the norm. Sad

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 11:28 am
All good points. Hoffman even told them during the hearing that May 1 was already an accelerated deadline on their part…McSweeney just kept repeating that he didn’t understand why it wasn’t in front of him already.

Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 11:34 am
This issue is basic governing and no way can a governor who fails basic governing can turn these issues into vote getters.

So, all they have are games.

Doing their jobs won’t lessen the damage, so the political games will continue.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 11:36 am
Since the residents will eventually have to leave Quincy for construction, why not relocate them now, and hopefully avoid additional cases? I’m hoping a relocation option is part of tomorrow’s plan.

Comment by James Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 11:38 am
I, for one, am looking forward to see how they pin this on Madigan. /s

Comment by Jocko Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 11:43 am
Wait…I thought Hoffman was a six sigma black belt?
He’s had two months after several years of the department analyzing the situation.
I’m not trying to be a putz but the administration is acting like this problem is new.
And I will remind folks that Rauner stayed at the home.
That’s a bigger game than asking for a report that is long overdue.
You’re making 20,000 a month blackbelt Hoffman
I hope that report is better than the last 35 page excuse.

Comment by Chesty Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:32 pm
It may not be fair to ask for a hurry-up a day ahead… but dealing with this administration on *anything*, high stakes or low, is like being stuck in a never-ending road show of “Annie”.

From Vets’ homes, to gun laws, to budget meetings, to results from the trips abroad, actual facts and answers and work product are…

“…always a day awayyyy….. tooo-morrow, too-morroowww, we’ll tell you, to-morrrooww… “.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:42 pm
The governor’s veterans affairs director resigned but is suppose to be working the next two weeks. Can we expect her at the hearing?

Comment by Claud Peppers Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 1:13 pm
Let us not forget that it was Senator Tracy that asked for Hoffman to get members the report last Friday. So as much as I’d like to paint the request as a political game, the request came from a member that has been in Rauner’s corner on this and not from one of the members who typically beat up on the administration.

Comment by Currer Bell Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 1:28 pm
== I’m told Hoffman will meet his deadline. ==

Rich, in all due respect, the deadline should have been 2 years ago.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 3:56 pm
Quincy is our Oldest Va Home. Blame goes way bac. Past governors and Directors ignored it. And everyone knows, CMS is in the Governor pocket

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 4:15 pm
==CMS is in the Governor pocket==

Umm, CMS is an executive branch agency so that sort of goes without saying.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 4:46 pm
If looks could kill, they probably will
In games without frontiers-war without tears
Games without frontiers-war without tears

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 11:58 pm