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* Gov. Rauner has said that the state is looking at various options with the Quincy veterans’ home, including replacing the plumbing and putting up a new building. But that would take a lot of time and with 4 recent Legionnaires’ cases, the Quincy Herald-Whig has another idea. Move the residents two blocks down the street…
We strongly urge the governor and state agencies to give careful consideration to a feasible, transitional option that would address many of the stated safety concerns and achieve that short-term objective.
It would require the state to buy — or rent — the vacant Sycamore Healthcare Center facility just two blocks from the Veterans Home grounds and temporarily move the 75 residents now living in Elmore Infirmary — where most of the Legionnaires’ cases have been traced — there until Elmore can be renovated or replaced.
Sycamore Healthcare Center closed in April 2017, a victim of Medicaid funding cuts instituted in 2015 and a state budget impasse that began that year and lasted until last summer.
The skilled nursing facility at 720 Sycamore has more than 26,000 square feet of space, features 102 rooms and was licensed for 205 beds at the time of its closing. DLZ Capital of New York bought the facility out of foreclosure and has it listed with Mays Realtors of Quincy for $795,000.
There has been a growing chorus of politicians calling for residents to be moved to other facilities across Illinois, which also would carry a hefty price tag for the state. We strenuously object to any such plan and urge our readers to do the same.
First, it seems fitting to use what is essentially a belly-up budget hostage to fix the problem.
Second, why the heck didn’t any of the governor’s “super stars” think of this idea?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 2:37 pm
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Oh, the irony of it. However, the veterans do need to get out of that building where they are now.
Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 2:42 pm
Rauner administration is probably looking to lease the building for $1 million a year, but to store old DHS paperwork.
Comment by Leigh John-Ella Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 2:44 pm
A solid idea from the Whig! One wonders why Quincy’s state senator and representative seem to be so disengaged in this whole issue. Maybe this is a chance to for them to champion something that really addresses the plight of these veterans and their dependents?
Comment by Yesterday's Chairman Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 2:46 pm
Brilliant. Let’s do it.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 2:48 pm
Gotta love a win-win political solution. And this definitely looks like one of those rare birds.
Let’s get it done.
Comment by Chicago_Downstater Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 3:02 pm
I’m sure there would be a lot of red tape for making sure the building was still up to code and everything, and I don’t know what the procurement timeline would look like on renting this place out, but it certainly seems like a very good choice.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 3:02 pm
=== why the heck didn’t any of the governor’s “super stars” think of this idea? ===
Let me count the ways:
1) Rauner and his people don’t want to spend too much money - except for buds needs.
2) It would be an admission that they botched the response.
3) It would require a more intensive coordinated effort.
4) The effort doesn’t involve killing unions.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 3:12 pm
Cellini probably has it under contract
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 3:20 pm
Might be smart to test the water supply before moving anyone there.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 3:24 pm
Aww, this is too easy, and too smart-therefore Rauner will be against it…
Comment by downstate commissioner Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 4:08 pm
Considering the building has been shut down since last April and the same water source will be used, there will be lots of flushing and plumbing issues to address. It is doable, but not as easy as it may seem.
Comment by Swede Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 4:18 pm
3 years
13 dead
2 blocks away
These things happen
Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 4:19 pm
***Considering the building has been shut down since last April and the same water source will be used, there will be lots of flushing and plumbing issues to address. It is doable, but not as easy as it may seem.*** Think it may be preferable to a building built for retired Indian fighters and Civil War veterans where 13 people have contracted a disease and died from it?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 4:44 pm
The State does not care about these veterans. If they did, they would have been moved already and the buildings would have been maintained over the years to prevent this issue.
We as citizens do care, as I see here on this blog. But I doubt our politicians really care until veterans are convenient for photo ops to get votes. I have called my Reps as I am sure most of you have done.
Move them already Governor and State Reps
Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 6:25 pm
Okay. Thank you, Quincy Herald-Whig. You’re on the ground, better late than never.
Let’s just do the right thing now for the folks.
All the other stuff, we’ll sort out later.
You better believe we will.
When I was a young reporter, one of the dicks I drank with and admired told me that every stiff deserved an official sendoff; that the end of their life should be accounted for and recorded, let the chips fall. like history.
These vets deserve no less.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 8:21 pm
” One wonders why Quincy’s state senator and representative seem to be so disengaged in this whole issue.”
Tract won’t care unless Dot Foods tells her to.
Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 9:41 pm
Oops Tracy.
Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Thursday, Mar 1, 18 @ 9:41 pm
Rich, how do we find out who’s invested in DLZ Realty and this building in particular? Wouldn’t be surprised to find connections to prior members of the Best Team in America (BTIA).
Comment by Lynn S. Friday, Mar 2, 18 @ 2:45 am
Where did the people at Sycamore go 9 months ago?
Also, the state of Illinois has other veteran’s homes. They don’t need to buy another building.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Mar 2, 18 @ 6:50 am
Isn’t Jeff Mays on one of Rauner’s team, wouldn’t that be a conflick or interest. or just more money in formore state Rep jeff Mays pocket
Comment by quincy Friday, Mar 2, 18 @ 1:34 pm