Friend --

As Minority Spokesman for the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I've seen firsthand how the state of Illinois has let down our veterans at both the Quincy Veterans' Home (Legionnaires) and LaSalle Veterans' Home (COVID-19).

When comparing their respective responses, Governor Pritzker is far less transparent about veteran home tragedies than his predecessor, Governor Rauner, was.

Even though the Pritzker Administration pledged complete transparency on the breakdown at the LaSalle Veterans' Home, they have yet to make a decision-maker from the Illinois Department of Public Health available to answer questions from lawmakers.? Last week the obfuscation continued when they only sent a consultant to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing, instead of someone who could explain why it took over 10 days to get an IDPH inspection team to the facility after the outbreak began.

In contrast, Governor Rauner's Director of Public Health, Dr. Nirav Shah, testified on numerous occasions at committee hearings about the Legionnaires Outbreak in Quincy.?

Yet again, Governor Pritzker's actions do not match his words.

As a former Lieutenant?Colonel in the Marine Corps, I am not a member of our political class and I understand that actions speak louder than words.? I will continue working to ensure that Illinois gives our veterans the care and respect they deserve.

S/F,

Paul Schimpf
http://www.schimpf4illinois.com/