Halpin Supports Authorization, Funding of Quincy Veterans’ Home Rebuild

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing his efforts to respond to the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak crisis at the Quincy Veterans’ Home, state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, helped pass a measure to authorize rehabilitation and significant improvement of the facility.

“We cannot change the governor’s past mishandling of outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease at the Quincy Veterans’ Home or bring back the 13 heroes who lost their lives as a result of an administration more intent on covering up and saving face than caring for these veterans,” said Halpin. “But what we can do is create a new, safer environment at Quincy so that current and future residents are better taken care of.”

The Halpin-backed Senate Bill 3128 creates the Quincy Veterans’ Home Rehabilitation and Rebuilding Act, giving the Capital Development Board (CDB) and the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs five years to design and build renovations to the Quincy Veterans’ Home, with a focus on infrastructure and water quality improvements. The Rauner administration would also be required to provide unredacted copies of any communications with the federal government related to securing funding for the project. Halpin joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in voting for a budget that authorizes $53 million to begin reconstruction of the facility.

Senate bill 3128 passed both the House and the Senate will veto-proof bipartisan majorities, putting the bill on the governor’s desk for final approval.

“This initial funding is the beginning of our commitment to improve the delivery of health care services for the retired service members who reside in Illinois’ veterans’ homes,” said Halpin. “Our military families deserve assurance that their loved ones will enjoy a full quality of life in a safe environment.”