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* UPDATED x1 * Pritzker says he wants to settle Quincy veterans home case

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After lingering for more than two years, Illinois Gov.-elect JB Pritzker said Friday he intends to settle 12 negligence lawsuits brought by the families of those who died of Legionnaires’ disease at the state-run Quincy veterans’ home.

Pritzker’s comments come after state legislators this week approved raising the potential limit that the state could have to pay out in damages to $2 million.

“I think there’s the opportunity now for fair settlements to be reached, and there’s no doubt we’re gonna move forward and try to get justice for all the families affected,” Pritzker said. “There were mistakes made, and I think we’re gonna have to work out going forward on a settlement basis likely what each family will receive.” […]

“It’s incredibly refreshing to see that a governor will acknowledge mistakes occur,” said Steven Jambois, who represents the family of Korean War veteran Valdemar “Roy” Dehn. “The first step into preventing those in the future is acknowledging that they did occur and then make sure they don’t occur in the future.”

As Pritzker opened the door to settlement talks with the families, he was unclear on whether the state would continue to deny negligence in its handling of the outbreaks because he said there’s still a lot of information left out of the public eye.

This case should’ve been settled a long time ago.

*** UPDATE *** As it turns out, both JB Pritzker and I are unclear on the concept. The governor can’t settle these cases. Only the attorney general can do so. A “friendly” attorney general might have settled the Quincy cases early on to keep the nasty particulars out of view and protect the administration’s backside with confidentiality agreements. A not so friendly AG would allow the discovery process to advance until all the bad bits were known. So, it’ll be up to either AG Madigan in her final days or AG Raoul to get this thing settled.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 1:09 pm

Comments

It’s the right and decent thing to do.

What a concept.

The idea that the state would lawyer up and duke it out with grieving family members in the Court of Claims over this horrible incompetence and cover up is repugnant beyond belief.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 1:19 pm
Unfortunately, JB has to wait until January 14th to settle these cases. Too bad 1.4% won’t take the hint and settle before then.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 1:26 pm
The Guv has set the bar so tragically low.

All JB has to do acknowledge that mistakes were in the deaths of veterans in the state’s care and avoid saying that the state is in a death spiral - and he will be such an improvement.

The word I have heard the most describing the deceased President Bush is “decency”. It’s sad that in today’s world that is so hard to find. Whether I agree with him or not, JB strikes me as a very decent man.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 1:31 pm
Not only is it the right thing to do, it is a massive favor to everyone who worked on this in the current administration. McKinney and Arnold seem to have gotten most of the sad, embarrassing emails and docs, but surely not all of them.

But, yeah, glad he’s taking steps to give these families some peace.

Comment by lakeside Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 1:44 pm
Do you think the Court of Claims increase still would have happened if the settlement had?

Comment by OneMan Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 1:50 pm
Pritzker is doing the right and decent thing, while also sticking it to Gov. Failure. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…

Comment by Matts Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 1:51 pm
But, but…but what about the sop to the Trial Lawyers?

I thought J.B. and Madigan were teaming up to give their buddies huge, uncapped awards courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Illinois J. Taxpayer?

Is it possible Governor Rauner wasn’t telling the truth?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 1:52 pm
Hang on! Does anyone really think that the attorneys were clamoring to settle when the award was capped at $100,000? No way. They slow walked the litigation until the caps were raised.

Comment by Super Anon Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:01 pm
With the caps being increased from $100,000 to $2m, why would anyone settle? Hope there is a new revenue source soon, bc I think the Court of Claims will see an increase in cases.

Comment by Here’s my deal Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:02 pm
===Too bad 1.4% won’t take the hint and settle before then.===

He seems to be going to extraordinary lengths to avoid going out on a high note.

Comment by Nick Name Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:03 pm
Bruce said that JB stands for Jailbird. What sort of jailbird would do a thing like this? Certainly not a governor that admits that they did the wrong things to these families.

Comment by Big Joe Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:03 pm
It’s clear that Democrats work to get things done. That’s exactly what Susana Mendoza has done as Comptroller and will do as mayor of Chicago if she has that opportunity. Not only is she a great boss, she works to make everything right. Please if you live in the city of Chicago vote SUSANA

Comment by Michael Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:04 pm
===With the caps being increased from $100,000 to $2m, why would anyone settle?===

What if they settle for… $2 million?

The $100K ceiling on this case, that was always going to look awful to the exacting damage and neglect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:06 pm
So are you going to direct this righteous indignation and aim it at Lisa now?

Comment by OneMan Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:24 pm
===A “friendly” attorney general might have settled the Quincy cases early on to keep the nasty particulars out of view and protect the administration’s backside with confidentiality agreements. A not so friendly AG would allow the discovery process to advance until all the bad bits were known.===

“Why not both?”

Agree to a settlement, but the settlement must include a full and complete disclosure of findings and a complete account of mismanagement found, at all levels?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:27 pm
Per the update: So are you accusing Attorney General Lisa Madigan of dragging this process out over many months, causing unnecessary pain for the families, simply to make Rauner look as bad as possible?

Comment by Just Me Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:42 pm
Settling makes sense, especially after the families of the victims were used like piñatas by GovJunk and the clown car riders.
Wonder if indictments and trials harm or slow up settlement process.

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:45 pm
I’ve seen some pretty awful cases of state misconduct defended all the way by Lisa. Hopefully there’s a new dawn for the AG’s defense of wrongdoing.

Comment by Deadbeat Conservative Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:46 pm
Sure, OneMan. Plenty of righteous indignation to go around with this one. She should settle.

Comment by lakeside Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:49 pm
Settlements with the State cannot be confidential because of FOIA.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:04 pm
==- Anonymous - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:04 pm:

Settlements with the State cannot be confidential because of FOIA.==

Not true

Comment by retiredhack Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:13 pm
==- Anonymous - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:04 pm:

Settlements with the State cannot be confidential because of FOIA.==

Not true. Plus a judge can enter a protective order shielding information from disclosure.

Comment by retiredhack Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:15 pm
Good for JB in trying to conclude this ugly chapter.

Let’s hope he is just as concerned and forthcoming about whatever “mistakes” occur on his watch.

Comment by SSL Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:16 pm
§ 2.20. Settlement and severance agreements. All settlement and severance agreements entered into by or on behalf of a public body are public records subject to inspection and copying by the public, provided that information exempt from disclosure under Section 7 of this Act may be redacted.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:33 pm
Technically/legally it’s an AG process, but the client, the governor and affected agency(ies), are an integral part of the process. I can’t recall a settlement involving an agency that was opposed by the governor or agency.

That’s not to throw water on the idea that Lisa made things a little more difficult for Rauner.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 4:13 pm
No lawyer in their right mind would have settled with state while legislation impacting the caps was pending?

Also, if individuals committed crimes that led to these deaths, seems they should be on the hook personally.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 5:41 pm
“After lingering for more than two years, Illinois Gov.-elect JB Pritzker” . . .

. . . is an awful way to start this story. The lawsuits may have been lingering, but not JB, at least not in the way WBEZ means it.

Comment by Grammar Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 6:14 pm