Chambana Sun

Being a businessman in the long-term care industry and a veteran himself, state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) can’t stress enough that there should be people held accountable for the COVID-19 outbreak at the state-run LaSalle Veterans' Home.

He urged the governor’s administration to face up to its responsibilities.

“This has been a colossal failure of leadership and the use of resources by the Pritzker administration,” Caulkins said. “They must face up to their failures, they must report back what their plan of action is and we certainly intend to hold them to that standard.”

He underscored the state’s capacity in protecting veterans and stressed that the mismanagement is unacceptable.

“Now, you may think that this is a little harsh, that this criticism is a little harsh, but let me assure you, I have spent 30 years in the long-term care industry as both an owner and operator,” he touted. “I know firsthand the resources and the power that the state of Illinois has in this area and I guarantee you the state can and does get involved immediately in a facility where they have these kinds of issues. The lack of attention paid to our veterans’ homes is inexcusable.”

The Decatur representative pointed out what strong leadership is.

“The first responsibility of a leader is to protect those under his command,” Caulkins said. “The most important hire is to put qualified people in place to make sure that your soldiers are properly cared for. When disaster strikes, a real leader takes responsibility and shares lessons learned with his or her community. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak at the Illinois veterans’ homes, all we have heard from the Pritzker administration is excuse after excuse, and zero action to protect the lives of those who serve our country. I don't know how those involved can sleep at night knowing their lack of action may have caused dozens of people to die. And now a failure to acknowledge the true problems could lead to more deaths in the future.”

Caulkins served for more than 22 years in the U.S. Army as an infantryman, a platoon leader, company commander, and staff officer. He said that the lives lost in the state veterans’ homes not only affect him as a citizen but as a fellow veteran.

Thirty-six veterans died from the COVID-19 outbreak last fall at the LaSalle Veterans' Home. According to the Illinois Department of Human Services Inspector General's report, the lack of plan addressing an outbreak, and failures in leadership contributed to the tragic event.