Lawmakers Vote To Allow Higher Payouts For Legionnaires’ Victims’ Families

By Nereida Moreno
Relatives of Illinois Veterans Home residents who died of Legionnaires’ disease gather in Quincy to talk about what’s changed for them since their allegations of neglect went public. In the back row, from left to right, are Paul Harrison, Barb Harrison, Diane McHatton, Tim Miller, Steve French, and Dennis Miller. In front, from left to right, are Barb Kiefer, Cindy Cassens, Jana Casper, and Brenda Sprague
Relatives of Illinois Veterans Home residents who died of Legionnaires’ disease gather in Quincy to talk about what’s changed for them since their allegations of neglect went public. In the back row, from left to right, are Paul Harrison, Barb Harrison, Diane McHatton, Tim Miller, Steve French, and Dennis Miller. In front, from left to right, are Barb Kiefer, Jana Casper, Cindy Cassens, and Brenda Sprague. Dave McKinney/WBEZ
Relatives of Illinois Veterans Home residents who died of Legionnaires’ disease gather in Quincy to talk about what’s changed for them since their allegations of neglect went public. In the back row, from left to right, are Paul Harrison, Barb Harrison, Diane McHatton, Tim Miller, Steve French, and Dennis Miller. In front, from left to right, are Barb Kiefer, Cindy Cassens, Jana Casper, and Brenda Sprague
Relatives of Illinois Veterans Home residents who died of Legionnaires’ disease gather in Quincy to talk about what’s changed for them since their allegations of neglect went public. In the back row, from left to right, are Paul Harrison, Barb Harrison, Diane McHatton, Tim Miller, Steve French, and Dennis Miller. In front, from left to right, are Barb Kiefer, Jana Casper, Cindy Cassens, and Brenda Sprague. Dave McKinney/WBEZ

Lawmakers Vote To Allow Higher Payouts For Legionnaires’ Victims’ Families

By Nereida Moreno
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Illinois lawmakers on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto to allow higher legal payouts in a dozen pending lawsuits against the state over Legionnaires’ deaths at the veterans’ home in downstate Quincy.

The vote means families of Legionnaires’ victims at the home can now receive up to $2 million dollars in damages if they win their negligence lawsuits. The previous limit was $100,000.

Morning Shift discusses the latest development in the Legionnaires’ story, which comes as a result of WBEZ’s year-long investigation in the deaths at the home and the way the Rauner administration responded to them.

GUEST:

Tony Arnold, WBEZ State Politics reporter