By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – A state representative wants the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to notify veterans’ home residents and workers within 24 hours of a Legionnaires Disease outbreak, but others think the measure should be more clear and more broad.
Over a three-year period, 13 residents of the Quincy Veterans Home died of Legionnaires Disease and dozens were sickened. New cases have popped up in the past few weeks.
State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, said when she heard of the most recent cases, she went into action to begin drafting House Bill 4278.
“My sole intent of the bill was just for Legionnaires and it was reactionary. The day I heard this happen in Quincy, I was on the phone trying to get this started,” Scherer said.
IDVA’s Legislative Liaison Eric Murphy said they support the concept of the bill, but think it would be better if it encompassed more than just the veterans department.
“Any buildings where the public has access – hospitals, nursing homes, universities, the capitol complex, state facilities, multi-family and multi-residential homes,” Murphy said.
Scherer said she feared including more in the bill will lead to its demise.
Just last month, notice went out to employees at the capitol complex in Springfield that legionella bacteria was found in the water system.
Murphy said he also wanted more clear definitions.
“We do have concerns, the first one is there is no definition of what constitutes an outbreak,” Murphy said. “There’s different definitions out there.”
State Rep. Michael Halpin, D-Rock Island, wanted clarity on when the 24-hour clock should start.
Other suggestions included expanding who would get notified to include visitors.
State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, filed House Bill 4278, which would require public reporting if two or more cases of any infectious disease is confirmed within a month. That bill is held in the House Rules Committee.
