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 Jim Durkin 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 Avery Bourne State Representative, 75th District Assistant Republican Leader State Representative, 95th District
Seth Lewis Ryan Spain 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 Chris Bos 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 Dan Ugaste State Representative, 64 District th State Representative, 65 District
C.D. Davidsmeyer Dave Severin State Representative, 100th District State Representative, 117th District
Tom Bennett Brad Halbrook th nd State Representative, 106 District State Representative, 102 District
Dan Caulkins State Representative, 101st District Paul Jacobs State Representative, 115th District
Tim Butler Assistant Republican Leader Mike Murphy State Representative, 87th District State Representative, 99th District
Mark Luft Amy Elik st State Representative, 91 District State Representative, 111th District
Norine Hammond Randy Frese State Representative, 93rd District State Representative, 94th District
Adam Niemerg State Representative, 109th District