Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White wants to lift a cap on how much the state has to pay out to families of veterans in negligence lawsuits. That comes after a WBEZ investigation into multiple outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease at a state-run veterans’ home. Twelve families are suing the state for neglect because their loved ones died in a 2015 outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the home in downstate Quincy. But state law caps such legal payouts to $100,000 — tied for the lowest cap in the country. The state has so far denied acting negligently.
After WBEZ Investigation, Secretary Of State Seeks To Lift Cap On Negligence Payouts
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White wants to lift a cap on how much the state has to pay out to families of veterans in negligence lawsuits. That comes after a WBEZ investigation into multiple outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease at a state-run veterans’ home. Twelve families are suing the state for neglect because their loved ones died in a 2015 outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the home in downstate Quincy. But state law caps such legal payouts to $100,000 — tied for the lowest cap in the country. The state has so far denied acting negligently.