ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – In advance of a legislative hearing scheduled for Jan. 9 on the Quincy Veterans’ Home legionella outbreak and response, state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, took the opportunity Wednesday to visit the home and examine current procedures.
“We need to be doing everything possible to ensure that our veterans are properly cared for and that the situation in Quincy does not happen again,” Halpin said. “While I’m reassured by the direction we’re headed, there are still some unanswered questions that Tuesday’s hearing will seek to address.”
According to an investigative report by WBEZ, the Quincy Veterans’ Home experienced three outbreaks of legionella bacteria in the last three years, which led to the deaths of 13 residents and infected more than 60 others at the facility. Halpin is supporting legislation calling on the Rauner administration to report to the General Assembly on the Quincy home’s handling of the outbreaks, as well as their plan on how to contain the spread of and end outbreaks of Legionnaire’s disease in the future.
State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, (right) joined other members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee to meet with staff and residents of the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Quincy on Wednesday.
Rep Mike Halpin
(D-Rock Island)
72nd District
Springfield Office:
242A-W Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5970
(217) 558-1253 FAX
District Office:
1504 3rd Ave., 2nd Floor
County Office Bldg.
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 558-3612
(309) 793-4764 FAX