By RFD Radio/WFMB
QUINCY – Is the water really safe at veteran’s home in Quincy? It’s a serious question now after 12 people died from Legionnaires’ disease in 2015 another died in November.
The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is telling WBEZ in Chicago there are more unreported cases of the disease. The deaths and apparent slow reaction and inability to get the outbreak under control are hitting Governor Bruce Rauner and his administration hard. This week he was asked directly if he had faith if the property was clean even though people were getting sick.
“We need to do everything we can to support them keep them safe and healthy,” Rauner said.
Rauner was also given the chance for his administration and himself to personally take moral responsibility for the deaths of 13 people.
“Bottom line, I work every day to support our veterans,” Rauner said. “They are our heroes and I will never ever back down or give up on fighting and working to keep veterans safe.”
Now the two veterans committees in the General Assembly are going to hold a joint legislative hearing to address the ongoing problems at the home. That is scheduled for Jan. 9 in Chicago.