Welch: Time for Governor to be Held Accountable for Lives Lost at Veterans’ Home

WESTCHESTER, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch is calling on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration to work more quickly to address the ongoing legionella outbreak at the Quincy Veterans’ Home.

“There are some serious questions about the timeline of events from when the first case of Legionnaires’ disease was found, when the CDC was notified and when staff at the veterans’ home began taking steps to stop the spread of this disease,” Welch said. “Governor Rauner’s administration has a responsibility to be forthcoming about all of the details surrounding these incidences to protect the lives of our military heroes still living at the home. I am hopeful that the administration continues to cooperate with the General Assembly to get all of our questions answered.”

The first outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease occurred in July 2015. That summer 54 military veterans and staff at the home contracted the disease, resulting in 12 deaths. The Quincy Veterans’ Home took steps in 2015 to address the outbreak with the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control, CDC. However, in both 2016 and 2017, there were several cases Legionnaires’ disease each year. One additional veteran passed away from the disease in the fall of 2017.

“When Governor Rauner first took office, he said he was going to be responsible for what goes on in the state,” Welch said. “However up until last weekend’s publicity stunt, Governor Rauner has been deafeningly silent about the lives lost at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. It’s time for Governor Rauner to prove that he is in charge of the state and to begin to take responsibility for what happens under his watch.”