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Rauner defends record on veterans, Quincy

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Illinois

* JB Pritzker has been on statewide publicity tour ostensibly designed to showcase his meetings with veterans. Here’s the end of a Peoria Journal Star article…

Alex Browning, a Rauner spokesman, said the governor is committed to helping veterans of Illinois.

“When the Quincy Veterans Home needed him, he took action. He worked hand-in-hand with the CDC from day one and secured $53 million for new construction at the home. Gov. Rauner has also led efforts to help veterans who have fallen on hard times, increased veteran access to education, and created a pilot program for temporary childcare services for veterans who have medical appointments or job interviews,” he said.

* Pritzker campaign…

The Rauner campaign is claiming that “when the Quincy Veterans Home needed him, he took action.” Let’s take a look at the real record:

* In 2015, Rauner’s administration waited six days to publicize the first Legionnaires’ outbreak — even though they recognized it looked like the “beginning of an epidemic.” In a span of weeks, 12 Veterans and spouses died and 54 were sickened.

* In 2016, Rauner shows up in Quincy to announce “we’re really on top of the situation” as his Veterans Affairs department confirms two new Legionnaires’ cases. Sixteen days later, a third case is confirmed.

* In 2017, a Korean War Veteran dies, bringing the death toll to 13. Weeks later, three cases are confirmed. In December, a media investigation exposes Rauner’s fatal mismanagement, and Rauner launches into cover-up mode.

* In 2018, Rauner holds a week-long press stunt at the Quincy Veterans’ Home and proposes a task force instead of concrete, long-term solutions to end the crisis. While Rauner has no regrets and blames Quincy staff for his fatal mismanagement, Rauner’s administration skips a legislative hearing into the Legionnaires’ crisis hours before the fourth case in 2018 was confirmed. Rauner claims “nothing has taken long” days after his administration says it will take “three to five years” before the problem will be solved.

“When Quincy Veterans needed him, Bruce Rauner was busy covering up his fatal mismanagement instead of ending the Legionnaires’ crisis he let spin out of control,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “It is deeply troubling and frankly a disgrace to the memories of our fallen heroes for Rauner or his campaign to rewrite history on a crisis caused by his failed leadership.”

Links to referenced stories are here.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 1:37 pm

Comments

Quote Ives.
There are tens of thousands of Downstate ILGOP supporters who know that Rauner is about as supportive of our veterans as he is supportive of the public service unions that care for our veterans daily.

He doesn’t care.
He has a record.
It’s now a undebatable fact.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 1:49 pm
They are still battling Legionnaires’ Disease at the Veteran’s Home in Quincy. The disease is ongoing because the problem has not been fixed yet!

Comment by Mama Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 2:04 pm
1.4% runnin’ around the State, makin’ up stuff about him self.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 2:13 pm
I wonder what happened to the hallowed cry, “We need a business man”….He gave us the business, alright.

Comment by wondering Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 2:22 pm
It is apparent that that Rauner did not react in time to save veterans’ lives. Will he get a pass or not? I suppose the election will tell.

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 2:44 pm
Rauner and is BTIA played politics rather than respond to the crisis. This is the real story.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 2:58 pm
It’s disgusting for Pritzker to use the deaths of veterans to further his personal agenda.

Comment by Chris Widger Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 3:28 pm
Widger, Rauner’s campaign spokesman claimed everything was A-OK at Quincy. It’s a legit hit.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 3:30 pm
–It’s disgusting for Pritzker to use the deaths of veterans to further his personal agenda.–

Rauner wouldn’t look at it that way.

Trib, 10/17/14

“Rauner blames Quinn for DCFS child deaths”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-rauner-blames-quinn-for-dcfs-child-deaths-20141007-story.html

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 3:53 pm
My govenor expressing his freedom of speach or lack of it

Comment by Rabid Friday, Jun 29, 18 @ 4:30 pm