Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: It’s just a bill
Next Post: Injured Kennedy can’t attend tonight’s debate
Posted in:
* Press release…
“Get them out of that home NOW,” Jeanne Ives, a conservative reform Republican for Governor, demanded in a press conference todaycalling for executive action in the legionella crisis that has continued unabated in a Quincy veterans home.
Since July 2015, 13 have died from Legionnaires’ disease. Eleven families have sued the state for negligence.
In July 2016, Governor Rauner said his administration was “really on top” of the situation at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy.
After that pronouncement, 3 more people got sick. A Korean war veteran died.
Recently, after his January PR stunt of staying at the home, Rauner told the Crain’s editorial board in response to a question as to whether he would’ve done anything differently in handling the crisis, “We handled it exceptionally well and we would not do anything different.”
Since that pronouncement, 4 more people have gotten sick.
The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), yesterday, reported the fourth laboratory-confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy (IVHQ).
“What the hell is wrong with this Governor,” asked Ives, who has used her platform as a candidate to bring attention to the crisis. “Veterans and their families are getting sick and dying, Governor. Get them out of that home NOW.
“This is as uncomplicated as it is preventable and tragic. All the talk from politicians like Rauner about how much they value our veterans, about keeping our promises to our veterans, about respecting their service, about helping them when they’re in need whatever they need…all that talk.
“13 dead. And people keeping getting sick. And the governor who says he’s not in charge is living down to that description.
“There’s nothing left to say. On March 20, Illinois families will have their say.”
* DGA…
Nearly a month ago, Rauner infamously declared that he “would not do anything different” in the aftermath of a Legionnaires’ outbreak at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. Since then four residents have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ and new reports keep raising questions about Rauner’s response to the crisis.
Yesterday, Rauner’s administration dodged a legislative committee who wanted to know why the state never acted on a recommendation to replace water pipes back in 2016. After a WBEZ investigative report into the home, which prompted a Rauner stay at the home, his team requested an updated report. And they asked for the plumbing replacement as an “emergency project” since “frail, elderly residents at the home (are) still becoming sickened.”
Rauner told Crain’s Chicago this month, “We’ve handled it exceptionally well and we would not do anything different.”
Does that still hold true?
“Bruce Rauner’s team sat on a report for 18 months, but he still praises the state’s response to the Quincy Legionnaires’ outbreak,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner’s refusal to admit mistakes shows his failure to lead. Rauner owes the public an explanation why his administration failed to act on a water pipe replacement recommendation a year and a half ago. Instead, his team continues to play blocking games as more residents get sick.”
* Gov. Rauner was asked about this earlier today…
Gov. Rauner: It’s heartbreaking. We need to keep our veterans safe. We have done everything that the National experts from the CDC have recommended. They are baffled as we are why we’ve had a few more cases. We will be relentless. We are going to protect our veterans. We’ll be taking additional action. We’ll be announcing additional steps here in the very near future.
Reporter: Governor, there are increasing calls for the veterans to move out of that facility… Is it time, I know you’ve expressed concerns about their age, to move them, but is it finally time to take that step?
Gov. Rauner: Well, we will be evaluating every option, every day. Moving the veterans is an option that we’ve evaluated in the past. We will begin evaluating it again now and at all times. We are evaluating every possible opportunity to keep our veterans safe. Here’s the issue: Our veterans are very vulnerable. They’re very susceptible to injury, to illness. They’re very fragile. Moving them increases significant risk for infections and other physical ailments. Whatever we do we need to be very thoughtful and very careful about it. We don’t want to increase their risk of damage to their health.
* He makes some very good points. The state can’t move everyone. But veterans and their families should be allowed to make an informed medical choice. If they decide they want to leave, the state should pay to move them. Period.
It’s time to stop worrying about losing votes because of lost jobs or to avoid the political horrors of admitting that mistakes were made.
The residents of that veterans’ home are the reason the home is there, after all. They did their duty for us, we need to do our duty for them. /rant
…Adding… An Ives supporter, but he’s right about this one…
We had a hearing on Jan. 8th in which I and other members demanded that Governor Rauner immediately give us a detailed plan to construct a new facility in Quincy. Instead, we got a task force. Our heroes in the Elmore Building need to be relocated until a new facility is built.
— Rep. David McSweeney (@1980reagan) February 21, 2018
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 2:47 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: It’s just a bill
Next Post: Injured Kennedy can’t attend tonight’s debate
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
“It’s time to stop worrying about losing votes because of lost jobs or to avoid the horrors of admitting that mistakes were made”
True, but brinkmanship has been the hallmark of Bruce Rauner’s term as governor. And I don’t think we can expect him to change his modus operandi now.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 2:51 pm
I agree w/ Ives, get them out of there.
Comment by anononon Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 2:54 pm
Ives is correct, once again.
Rauner is not in charge, and doesn’t want to be in charge.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 2:54 pm
The Rauner crew has lied and sandbagged on this issue for nearly three years. They don’t get the benefit of the doubt anymore. They’ve earned our distrust.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 2:55 pm
I think I said on here that I was against moving them before, but times have changed. 4 more infected, and disease experts are apparently “baffled”. Just get the out of there. Do it methodically and as carefully as possible, but get it going.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 2:55 pm
==Gov. Rauner: Well, we will be evaluating every option, every day.==
He loses me instantly with these kinds of patronizing statements. Rauner-splaining is about as poor a means of communication as what we’ve repeagedly see him do - nothing.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 2:59 pm
Ives should talk about this - loudly - every day until Rauner gets these people out of there. Rauner has been a horrible governor, but I’ll concede Madigan & Co don’t make change easy. This is a crisis Rauner can actually do something about. It shows that even if Rauner had authority, he wouldn’t know what to do with it. And much more vivdly than “double cross”, “lying to the Cardinal” and all that, the Quincy tragedy shows what really bothers people about Rauner: the perception that he’s an elitist bum who doesn’t care about ordinary people.
Comment by DarkHorse Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:02 pm
“”Rauner-splaining “”
VMan +
Comment by walker Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:04 pm
How could Ives be a worse choice?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:04 pm
Rauner has been very poorly served by his staff here. But, as we all know, “Governors own.” He needs to step up to the plate and take some decisive action, including offering relocation and fixing the darn pipes once and for all.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:11 pm
The vets that are in very fragile conditions should be the ones the least at risk. Unless it is in the heating system I doubt those vets are getting up to take a shower or using the sinks themselves. You can make sure they are not exposed to the current plumbing. There may be a humidifier in the heating system which could be the problem. Otherwise you should be able to isolate them.
And if I was Rauner I would be checking in with my own doctor frequently.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:12 pm
“Well, we will be evaluating every option, every day.” But you notice, it’s not “day and night.” /snark
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:15 pm
=== They’re very fragile. Moving them increases significant risk for infections and other physical ailments. Whatever we do we need to be very thoughtful and very careful about it. ===
Public Health and Health and Family Services have experience working with moving residents from problem nursing homes, or at least they used to before Rauner took over and trashed the budget for the last 2 1/2 years.
I don’t believe Rauner or his crew put any serious consideration into a temporary move. If so, let them show you some paperwork (oh, Rauner doesn’t release kleenex without a FOIA request.)
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:19 pm
=== They’re very fragile. Moving them increases significant risk for infections and other physical ailments. Whatever we do we need to be very thoughtful and very careful about it. ===
but yet was not one the latest cases, the one the administration could get him to the governor budget address? priority only matters if it makes him look good
Comment by 13th Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:31 pm
–But veterans and their families should be allowed to make an informed medical choice. If they decide they want to leave, the state should pay to move them. Period.–
It shouldn’t take three years to come to that very obvious conclusion.
If the dude doesn’t want to make tough, executive decisions, then he should go home. He can have his gardeners and housekeepers call him Tsar Bruce to stroke his ego.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:31 pm
Good for Ives. Hate to admit it, but she’s exactly right.
Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:33 pm
Rauner’s use of “will” rather than “are” is very telling. He doesn’t want to be in charge at all. What buildings are showing the most infections? Are there rooms available elsewhere on the campus that could be utilized? Is money needed NOW to start some plumbing replacements? Has there been an official ask for said funds??? We are past the “will” stage.
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:38 pm
I take it Ives will soon sponsor a bill for funds to deal with the problem.
Comment by Ste_with_a_ven Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:39 pm
Ives is right on here… the calling out of a governor.
Rauner just cant grasp that by owning, he has the responsibility to these veterans and their families for the safety of the residents.
Four more cases since Rauner has said he’s…
…
I just can’t believe Rauner believes what he says, I can’t bring myself to type the statement. If he does believe it, typing it will just infuriate me more.
Ives is really right about this governor here.
That’s a sad takeaway.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:42 pm
Move them where?
It’s not that I’m against getting them out of there, it’s just I’d like to see the rest of Ives’ plan for these people.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:43 pm
I want there to be a plan before anyone is moved.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:44 pm
===I take it Ives will soon sponsor a bill for funds to deal with the problem.===
… because Rauner is so grossly inept - Ste_with_a_ven -, that’s what YOU’RE saying… and I hear you, - Ste_with_a_ven - you admit Rauner is a failure to save these veterans from another outbreak.
I am hearing you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:45 pm
Here’s the issue, I don’t have a clue of what to do.
Comment by Crispycritter Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:50 pm
No money for this but money to create do-nothing positions for Munger and 30 of her patronage cronies from the Comptroller’s office.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:59 pm
I believe there are three other Veteran Homes that the State is responsible for managing.
I am wondering if there could be similar, or even different, issues that those Veterans must encounter as they in our care.
Comment by illini Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:17 pm
Do the other VA nursing homes have room for the Vets in Quincy? My guess is no one has room for them.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 5:17 pm
I can’t believe Ives is just now asking “What the hell is wrong with this governor?” Why was no one calling him on it 3 years ago???
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 5:20 pm
=== Why was no one calling him on it 3 years ago??? ===
Ives and most except for a few who woke up when the state teetered on the brink of junk status) the GOP caucus didn’t care about his destructive policies until he crossed the abortion redline.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 5:33 pm
Anybody but Rauner. I’m doubting Ives does anything in the primary, but what I do like is he’s having to spend millions of his campaign money just for the primary.
Comment by Niklas Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 5:45 pm
Rauner will continue to lie, but hopefully no matter veterans die
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 7:40 pm
Has any one called for Rauner’s resignation as a result of the deaths that occurred and his lack of action to address this situation? I know legislators called for Shah, but let’s think about this- people have called on the Speaker to resign and yet not one call for Governor Rauner as a result of veterans dying and having their health compromised. Where is the outrage?
Comment by Short Notice Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 8:51 pm
Is Illinois in danger of losing a veterans home? If the veterans are moved out, where will they go? They will be scattered to various care facilities to possibly never be assembled together again.
The Quincy home is sacred ground. There is a special camaraderie among the veteran residents and their families and friends. This camaraderie must not be destroyed.
Comment by Yossarian Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 9:30 pm
Rauner simply doesn’t care.
Words mean nothing it’s all about action and Rauner has done nothing but stalemate this state because he doesn’t know how to get along at the playground.
Rauner has to go.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 5:45 am