Metro East Sun

After a week that saw several Republican lawmakers criticizing the lackluster legislative agenda in Springfield, state Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) reiterated the urgency to discuss the investigation of the LaSalle Veterans' Home COVID-19 outbreak.

Joining other GOP colleagues in a May 7 news conference, Swanson called for attention on the matter. 

“Our priorities are screwed up,” Swanson said as he referred to the lack of attention to finding out what caused the outbreak at LaSalle Veterans' Home. “We need to focus on our veterans. We’ve lost some great American heroes — some who potentially sacrificed their life on a battlefield.”

Swanson stressed the importance of putting the welfare of veterans at the forefront of every public servant's agenda. He also voiced indignation at the leadership chain that failed the veterans at the LaSalle Home.

"I was joined by several colleagues to call for immediate hearings into the gross negligence at the LaSalle Veterans' Home that led to the deaths of 36 of our nation's heroes,” Swanson added. “As a veteran of the U.S. Army and the Army National Guard, and former superintendent of the Henry County Veterans Assistance Commission, caring for our veterans is one of the most important charges we have in public service … the IDVA, IDPH and the governor's office must testify before the Veterans Affairs Committee so the full scope of these failures, whether criminal or civil accountability, can be determined."

Despite Swanson's insistence on prioritizing the LaSalle COVID-19 outbreak, the House instead took on what most Republican lawmakers describe as unimportant resolutions.

"Inaction does not solve problems. Every day we delay could endanger more lives. Actions need to be taken into this grossly negligent failure and ensure it does not happen again. Our heroes and their families deserve nothing less," Swanson said.

Democratic Reps. Stephanie A. Kifowit (Aurora), Lance Yednock (Ottawa), Jonathan Carroll (Northbrook), Joyce Mason (Gurnee), Sue Scherer (Decatur), Michael Halpin (Rock Island), and Lamont J. Robinson, Jr. (Chicago) joined Swanson and other GOP Representatives including David A. Welter (Morris), Adam Niemerg (Teutopolis), David Friess (Red Bud), Michael T. Marron (Danville), Dan Ugaste (St. Charles), Mark Batinick (Plainfield), Tony McCombie (Rock Falls), and Norine K. Hammond (Macomb) in filing HR0062 which would direct “the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the State's response to the management of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans' Home.” 

Sens. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) also called for justice for the heroes’ families.