AURORA, Ill. – In response to emails from Gov. Bruce Rauner’s former deputy chief of staff Darlene Senger suggesting the administration shift blame for 13 deaths at the Quincy Veterans’ Home to Sen. Tammy Duckworth, USMC Veteran state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Aurora, and US Army Veteran state Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, released the following statement:

“Like all who have served in the armed forces, we know that true leadership means taking responsibility. This is a lesson Governor Rauner and Darlene Senger clearly have not learned. We are disappointed, but not surprised, that one of Bruce Rauner’s advisors actively discussed placing the blame for the crisis at the Quincy Veterans’ Home on Senator Tammy Duckworth, a war hero who has sacrificed more for her country than Governor Rauner could imagine.

“The crisis at the Quincy Veterans’ Home has revealed that Rauner and his people are busier finding ways to evade responsibility and find scapegoats than taking responsibility and finding solutions. We do not accept the governor’s attempt to blame others or evade legislative inquiries.

“We hope in the coming weeks and months the governor will begin to take responsibility for the crisis that occurred under his watch.”