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* WBEZ…
Democratic Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has opened a criminal probe into how Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration handled deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks at the state-run Quincy veterans’ home, law-enforcement sources confirmed exclusively to WBEZ on Wednesday.
Madigan’s office contacted Adams County State’s Attorney Gary Farha to say it had plans to present a case to a criminal grand jury empaneled in the west-central Illinois community where the Illinois Veterans’ Home is based, the sources said.
Who within Rauner’s orbit Madigan may be targeting and what criminal laws may be at issue are unclear, but a spokeswoman for the four-term attorney general who is retiring in January said her office’s probe has been ongoing.
“We are investigating whether any laws were violated in the response to the risks of and outbreak of Legionella at the Quincy veterans’ home, where many people died,” Madigan spokeswoman Maura Possley said in a statement.
“There needs to be an investigation to determine if laws were violated and whether residents of the home, their families, veterans’ home staff, and the public were informed in a timely and appropriate manner,” she said.
* From earlier today…
A new report from WBEZ confirms Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Administration withheld information that could have saved lives at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy, and State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is calling for a criminal inquiry.
“This report confirms that the governor’s office deliberately delayed notifying families and the public of a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak,” Cullerton said. “This goes beyond negligence. This is willful endangerment of a vulnerable population that it is our sacred duty to protect. This is criminal neglect.”
Legionnaires’ disease claimed the lives of 14 veterans or their spouses at the Quincy home and sickened nearly 70 residents and staff. Now, state records show that Rauner’s administration waited weeks – and in some cases months – in 2016 and 2017 to publicly acknowledge additional cases of Legionnaires’ disease.
“Gov. Bruce Rauner prioritized political games over the lives of our U.S. service men and women and staff at the state-run veterans’ home,” Cullerton said.
Cullerton is urging the Illinois Attorney General’s office to consider criminal charges against Gov. Rauner and any other officials directly involved in the decisions to conceal the truth.
“If residents, loved ones and staff had all of the facts better decisions could have been made that would have saved lives,” Cullerton said. “The governor and his administration need to be held accountable.”
There is precedent for such charges. In Michigan, Attorney General Bill Schuette brought charges against high-ranking state and former city of Flint health officials related to the Flint drinking water crisis. Cullerton believes similar charges should be considered in Illinois.
“We need to find out how many more deaths were caused by exposure to Legionnaires’ disease at the veterans home. We need a larger investigation to further examine their criminal negligence,” he said.
Cullerton served in the Army from 1990 to 1993 as an infantryman and has been a staunch advocate for Illinois’ veterans, especially those at the Quincy home.
“The state of Illinois has failed to give the veterans at the home the same basic dignity they put their lives on the line to protect for all of us,” Cullerton said. “There has to be some accountability for those that willfully endanger the heroes under our care to save political face.”
…Adding… You may recall not long ago when AG Madigan’s office was asked about investigating corruption stemming from an inspector general probe, her spokesperson said this…
But if we get that referral, we have to ask the permission of the appropriate State’s Attorney to use his or her grand jury - which means we have to ask permission to handle the case and if the State’s Attorney wants to take it or do it jointly with us, we do not have an option.
She’ll be presenting to a standing grand jury that will convene in late October. WBEZ quotes the Adams County State’s Attorney in its piece…
Farha, a Republican, said he would not be participating in any prosecution and that it would be lawyers from Madigan’s office appearing before a grand jury. […]
Asked if he believed election-year dynamics may be at play, Farha responded, “One could wonder.”
…Adding… Funny how all this is happening on the day of a debate that could’ve been dominated by Pritzker’s property tax problems…
“After four years of outbreaks, 14 deaths, and nearly 70 cases of Legionnaires’ at the Quincy Veterans’ Home, Bruce Rauner’s administration is now the subject of a criminal investigation into their fatal mismanagement and cover-up,” said JB Pritzker. “While Rauner’s own office tried to keep the Legionnaires’ crisis under wraps — delaying notification to the public and selectively releasing state records to the media — Veterans, their spouses, and staff at the home continued to get sick and die on this failed governor’s watch. Their families deserve justice, and Bruce Rauner must be held accountable.”
The Pritzker campaign has been throwing everything it has at Rauner this week to try and move tonight’s debate toward anywhere but the property tax stuff. It’s a good plan. I’m just sayin…
…Adding… WCIA…
AG Madigan's office immediately confirms this criminal investigation w/ me via phone. In contrast, after a day of un-returned phone calls they're still reluctant to comment on allegations of criminal tax fraud facing J.B. Pritzker-"It's unclear if that's w/in our jurisdiction." https://t.co/D3hfdqlray
— Raquel Martin (@WCIA3Raquel) October 3, 2018
Madigan opens criminal probe looking for a crime. What crime? They don’t know & can’t say. Earlier today, we asked if they would look into Cook County IG’s report alleging @JBPritzker committed a “scheme to defraud.” They said probably not because he was a private citizen. https://t.co/smSu6s1ekv
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) October 3, 2018
…Adding… ILGOP…
“During her 16 years in office, Attorney General Lisa Madigan has done absolutely nothing to address the corruption from Speaker Mike Madigan and Illinois Democrats that has plagued our state for decades. But now that an independent investigation has found her party’s candidate for governor to be a tax fraud, Madigan has launched a clearly partisan investigation into a serious public health crisis that Governor Rauner took swift action on and has been transparent with the General Assembly and the media. This is nothing more than the politicization of the devastating deaths of Illinois veterans to distract from JB Pritzker’s scheme to defraud Illinois taxpayers hours before a debate.” - Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Travis Sterling
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:10 pm
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Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:13 pm
Call Rod for advice
Comment by Stagman Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:15 pm
First,
McKinney and Arnold, wow, you both continue to amaze me with topping yourselves in this ongoing story, and getting to the root of what others want hidden.
Much, much respect.
To the post,
Ok, which Raunerite wants to blast the AG for looking into this… and be on the record that an investigation is all politics, with 14 dead in Quincy.
Don’t go there. Don’t. Don’t be “that person”.
Don’t be that person with the “but” included.
Stop. Think. Stop.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:17 pm
This stinks about as much as the confidential IG report being released. But I’m curious what laws they think might have been violated here. I see lots of incompetence, lots of not understanding how big the problem was and wanting to make it look even smaller, but it’s never even crossed my mind that something criminal had happened.
Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:18 pm
Finally. Thank you.
Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:18 pm
Should have happened months ago.
Comment by Boat captain Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:20 pm
I am happy that an investigation is being started. Why wasnt it started a year ago? It feels no one really cares about those veterans until it is election season.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:23 pm
Ethics smashed? For sure.
Laws broken? Not sure.
Comment by I Miss Bentohs Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:24 pm
It will be fun when Harold gets asked about this. Miss Harold, if elected would you continue the probe into the Rauner administration and prosecute if crimes were committed?
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:25 pm
Not commenting on the merits, but the timing. The AG opens herself up to one very obvious question why just before the Nov election ?
Comment by Texas Red Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:26 pm
I’m interested in seeing how Rauner decides to call this a “witch hunt” while carefully tiptoeing around actually saying those two words.
Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:28 pm
@Perrid-
Whomever ordered information withheld from families could be charged with Second degree murder or manslaughter, if they can prove that withholding the information led to that person’s death. Its murder 2 for anyone who had knowledge that withholding the info could prove fatal.
The spokesperson is looking at manslaughter most likely…this is a case where is a blessing not to have an MD or MPH after your name.
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:30 pm
==Ethics smashed? For sure.
Laws broken? Not sure.==
Good reason to have an investigation, then.
==why just before the Nov election ?==
Politically, WBEZ’ scoop last night probably gives her enough of an answer.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:33 pm
Rauner in his best Seinfeld imitation:
“Madigan” (Newman)
Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:35 pm
That doesn’t sound like it’s just starting. It sounds more like it’s been going on a while and reporters are just now picking up on it.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:39 pm
I was thinking that recklessness or negligence may apply. Rauner had a duty to protect these veterans from a further outbreak of the disease. 720 ILCS 5/4-6 defines recklessness and 720 ILCS 5/4-7 defines negligence.
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:39 pm
And Rauner does have a history with negligence if you recall the nursing homes he used to own.
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:44 pm
===It sounds more like it’s been going on a while===
Read the whole story.
“Farha, the Adams County state’s attorney, said he was contacted by Madigan’s office on Tuesday to inform him of the investigation and to seek permission to present evidence to a grand jury in Adams County. He said a standing grand jury is scheduled to hear cases Thursday but that the attorney general’s office indicated that a case or cases would not be ready to present by then.”
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:51 pm
An investigation is appropriate. If there is a case of negligence it should be filed. People died.
Comment by SSL Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:51 pm
Always click through.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:51 pm
How interesting….when disabled individuals were being abused/neglected, and some died when they were moved out of Jacksonville Developmental Cener and Murray….where was Lisa Madigan then…..I guess the disabled do not matter…..read the Auditor General Report on the CILAs and CRA……of course, the disabled don’t matter….only when they can make money for people ……sad…..as this is sad about the veterans…
Comment by anonymous Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:53 pm
1) Does Bruce Rauner believe in karma?
2) Does Dave McKinney?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:53 pm
The timing stinks of politics.
If the investigation has been truly “ongoing” as Madigan’s office claims, they should have announced they were looking into it when it started, or waited til they actually had something to take to the grand jury — which, as of today, they do not.
If BTIA(TM) has anything going on between its ears, they’ll hit back hard that Madigan is using her office to target political opponents a month before the election.
And that plays into the whole Madigan-Pritzker corruption narrative.
This could backfire as playing politics with the Quincy issue.
Or maybe it’s all part of the decades-long-now Grand Conspiracy to make Lisa governor in 2026.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:03 pm
Maybe both candidates should just plead the Fifth to all questions in the upcoming debate.
Comment by Cyprian Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:03 pm
Hilarious counter responses by the Democrats. The Scheme to Defraud on property taxes has them running for cover. And this after Democrats leaked the report of the IG, a report received only on a confidential basis by Democrats?
Is politics in Illinois laughing stock insane these days?
These are the same people who were shocked and appalled that Harrold would as AG use the office to file criminal charges and anti-corruption charges? Suddenly its OK?
And we wonder why Illinois is the laughing stock of politics?
Now in a span of roughly 24 hours, suddenly Lisa Madigan makes her move? After years of looking the other way when corruption on a political basis occurs?
And we wonder why Illinois is the laughing stock of the nation these days?
The only thing that keeps me from laughing out loud from the events starting with the IG report through the latest on the Veteran’s Administration tragedies is . . . . . I still live in this political sewer of a state.
Sheesh.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:04 pm
- Louis G Atsaves -
You want to be “that person”?
Hmm. Ok…
You tell your concerns to the families of the 14 victims… bring the emails too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:09 pm
Louis G. Atsaves, barely able to contain his hysterical guffaws at the thought of veterans dying of Legionnaire’s Disease.
Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:10 pm
As well she should. Also her duties to check out assessment fraud. All I am left with is what 25 million people in Illinois and we are left with Rauner and JB? God help Illinois
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:10 pm
Louis - what are you taking about? you may need to stop believing in conspiracy theories.
Comment by Ike Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:11 pm
Louis, if you really want to help your guy, maybe sit this one out, slugger. “Hilarious” isn’t the way to go here.
You’re not good at whatever it is you think you’re doing.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:12 pm
As a politics tactic, we can probably gauge its effectiveness by seeing how unhinged Louis G. Atsave’s rent above was.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:16 pm
I believe the Attorney General’s office has always had the responsibility to investigate and if necessary, move ahead with prosecutions of political corruption and malfeasance. I am glad Lisa Madigan has changed her stance, and I look forward to further investigations of all such instances of public officials potentially acting in reckless disregard of their responsibilities under the law, or acting contrary to the good of the people of Illinois and those under their purview.
Comment by JB13 Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:21 pm
@wordslinger, hilarious is the only word I can think to use that would keep me from banned for life.
Laughing stock of the country. Illinois.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:21 pm
Illinoisans are dead.
Illinois veterans are dead.
Illinois veterans some of whom were likely Republicans are dead.
And now we have incontrovertible evidence that an individual who reported directly to Bruce Rauner ordered potentially life saving information withheld from those veterans and their families.
How is that different than withholding potentially lifesaving medical care or food?
Under the law, it’s no different.
I will say, Republicans sound awfully unsure of themselves. Shouldn’t you be confident that a grand jury will clear Bruce Rauner’s good name?
Human lives were lost. They and their families deserve a search for the truth.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:21 pm
–hilarious is the only word I can think to use that would keep me from banned for life.–
Like I said, you’re not very good at whatever you think you’re doing.
Try to absorb that there is a little bit larger issue in play here than your fee-fees or standing by your man.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:29 pm
From YDDem: “Illinoisans are dead. / Illinois veterans are dead.”
That’s all that matters, folks. Really. Politics or no politics, vulnerable people died. Their families are owed explanations and the other residents of the state’s veterans home are owed protection. Bottom line.
Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:31 pm
Obvious question now is: when will the AG open a criminal investigation against JB for his IG substantiated scheme to defraud Cook County?
Comment by Old Pol Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:34 pm
=hilarious is the only word I can think to use that would keep me from banned for life.=
Try “tragedy” and “responsibility.” They seem to be a better fit.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:39 pm
“hilarious is the only word I can think to use that would keep me from banned for life.”
Keep digging.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:53 pm
@Prudent, I did use the word tragedy. Pay attention.
You may also notice that I haven’t defended the administration from the first day the VA story broke up to and including today.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 6:03 pm
Very disappointing. I doubt there is a crime here and this belated grand jury request (and public confirmation of it) reeks of political grandstanding.
Comment by #1 Anon Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 6:03 pm
I agree with everything Word said @ 5:03 and everything Louis said @ 5:04.
I’m stunned and confused….
Comment by Cadillac Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 6:07 pm
Guess Illinois AG doesn’t adhere to US DOJ protocols not to interfere with elections. Minnie Mouse failed to look into Blago, Berrios, Dorothy Brown, Bill Cellini and or Tony Rezko but 30 days out before the election- she suddenly gets religion. Thank God she is departing public service. Wonder if Zimmerman Madigan instructed her to do this. Lisa is just a terrible excuse for an AG
Comment by Sue Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 7:10 pm
My father and I were debating state politics the other night. We were wondering which we would prefer…corrupt state government, or incompetent state government. I honestly don’t know which is the preferred option, but those appear to be our choices.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 7:46 pm
Hey Just me- you and your dad are both lucky to live in Illinois- you both get what you want -corrupt and incompetent government. We have had both perhaps alternating or together for at least 20 years
Comment by Sue Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 8:47 pm
== you both get what you want -corrupt and incompetent government. ==
But only until you don’t keep the roads plowed.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:39 pm
Team Rauner has nothing to hide as long as swift action is not pulling a fast one
Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 11:00 pm
Harvey?
Comment by Eire17 Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 2:00 am
How about other crimes, such as: (720 ILCS 5/12-4.4a)
Sec. 12-4.4a. Abuse or criminal neglect of a long term care facility resident; criminal abuse or neglect of an elderly person or person with a disability.
Or Sec. 12-5. Reckless conduct.
(a) A person commits reckless conduct when he or she, by any means lawful or unlawful, recklessly performs an act or acts that:
(1) cause bodily harm to or endanger the safety of another person; or
(2) cause great bodily harm or permanent disability
or disfigurement to another person.
Or: (720 ILCS 5/12-5.1a) (was 720 ILCS 5/12-5.15)
Sec. 12-5.1a. Aggravated criminal housing management.
(a) A person commits aggravated criminal housing management when he or she commits criminal housing management and:
(1) the condition endangering the health or safety of a person other than the defendant is determined to be a contributing factor in the death of that person; and
(2) the person recklessly conceals or attempts to conceal the condition that endangered the health or safety of the person other than the defendant that is found to be a contributing factor in that death.
There’s more than one way to put somebody behind bars for this debacle
Comment by revvedup Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 7:41 am
AH Louis, outspoken except when your boys’ incompetence contributes or worsens a tragedy, then you don’t “defend” him. You simply don’t say anything.
Never hold Rauner accountable for his ridiculous, corrupt, callous, and incompetent behavior.
Lap dog.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 8:10 am
An antiquated facility that had evidently not been properly maintained over the many years prior to Rauner taking office and now career politicians trying to place blame so that nothing sticks to them from their ineptness. This is the whole political game that they have been playing for years and the people of Illinois suffer because they(both sides) are more interested in having control than being good stewards for the Illinois citizens. People died and answers need to be found but it doesn’t need to be about politics it needs to be about people. Solve problems and stop throwing mud at each other. Stop talking and start listening and maybe you might hear the answers to some of the problems.
Comment by Arock Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 8:49 am
Sue -
AG Madigan =was= looking into Blago and stood down at the request of the US Attorney for Northern Illinois, a gentleman named Patrick Fitzgerald. Perhaps you remember him?
Comment by Smitty Irving Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 8:51 am