July 30, 2021

Kwame Raoul Illinois Attorney General 500 South Second Street Springfield, IL 62701

Dear Attorney General Raoul,

In a letter sent to your office on May 11th of this year, House Republican Leader and members of our caucus brought to your attention Illinois statute 720 ILCS 5/12-4.4a, which addresses the neglect and abuse of the elderly and disabled. We asked you to investigate whether this statute or any others in Illinois law applied to the negligent and disturbing activities that arose at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home last fall. The poor practices that allege to have led to the loss of life of at least 36 Illinois heroes in the state’s care are well documented, especially in the Acting Inspector General for the Illinois Department of Human Services report dated April 26th of this year.

To date, your office has not responded to this investigation request. This is not acceptable. The 36 veterans lost were under the direct care of the executive branch. Continued stonewalling will only confirm the fears of the families who lost their loved ones that the executive branch has something to hide and is resisting transparency and accountability.

We insist that you advise us at the earliest moment of your office’s position as to (a) whether you are investigating; or (b) whether it is the Attorney General’s Office’s position that 720 ILCS 5/12-4.4a cannot legally apply to the circumstances that took place at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, and if so, why. Governor Pritzker promised to protect our veterans in state run facilities, and failed. If the law as currently constituted is insufficient to protect them, we need to know now so that appropriate statutory adjustments can be prepared in advance of the next legislative session.

Sincerely,

Deanne Mazzochi Assistant Republican Leader State Representative, 47th District

David Allen Welter Republican Conference Chairperson State Representative, 75th District Assistant Republican Leader State Representative, 95th District

Seth Lewis State Representative, 45th District Assistant Republican Leader State Representative, 73rd District

Chris Miller Mike Marron State Representative, 110th District State Representative, 104th District

Charlie Meier th st State Representative, 108 District State Representative, 51 District

Patrick Windhorst Dan Brady State Representative, 118th District State Representative, 105th District

Tom Weber th State Representative, 64 District th State Representative, 65 District

C.D. Davidsmeyer State Representative, 100th District State Representative, 117th District

Tom Bennett th nd State Representative, 106 District State Representative, 102 District

Dan Caulkins State Representative, 101st District State Representative, 115th District

Tim Butler Assistant Republican Leader Mike Murphy State Representative, 87th District State Representative, 99th District

Mark Luft st State Representative, 91 District State Representative, 111th District

Norine Hammond State Representative, 93rd District State Representative, 94th District

Adam Niemerg State Representative, 109th District