Bill Text: IL HR0062 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Directs 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.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2022-03-23 - Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Carol Ammons [HR0062 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HR0062-Enrolled.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The LaSalle Veterans' Home, founded in 1990, is
one of five veterans' homes in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, The LaSalle Veterans' home cares for up to 184
residents, including 40 special needs veterans; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by
SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus discovered in 2019; the virus is
thought to spread mainly from person to person through
respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs,
sneezes, or talks; some people who are infected may not have
symptoms; and
WHEREAS, In November 2020, the LaSalle Veterans' Home
experienced an outbreak of COVID-19 cases among its residents
and staff; and
WHEREAS, On November 6, 2020, VISN 12 leadership was
notified by Hines VA Hospital that the LaSalle Veterans' Home
was experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19; on November 10,
2020, an infection control lead at the LaSalle Veterans' Home
contacted the administration and then conducted a telephone
assessment on November 11, 2020; and

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WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Public Health assessed
the LaSalle Veterans' Home and made recommendations concerning
screening, testing, point of care testing, ventilation,
environment of care, and staff management and infectious
control practices; and
WHEREAS, The LaSalle Veterans' Home began implementing
corrective measures recommended by the Illinois Department of
Public Health, which included replacing non-alcohol containing
hand sanitizer, wearing proper personal protection equipment,
seeking separate consultation regarding HVAC/ventilation and
negative pressure concerns, staff management, testing with PCR
every three days until transmission under control, and
ensuring appropriate protocols are followed for terminal
cleanliness; and
WHEREAS, In December 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak continued
to spread through the LaSalle Veterans' Home, where 108
residents and 102 staff had contracted COVID-19; therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
the Auditor General is directed to conduct a performance audit
of the State's response to the management of the COVID-19
outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans' Home; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That this performance audit include, but not be
limited to, the following determinations:
(1) The response of the Department of Veterans'
Affairs to the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 at the LaSalle
Veterans' Home, including the recommendations made in the
November 13, 2020 site visit by the Illinois Department of
Public Health and the Department's actions to address
those recommendations;
(2) The type, cost, and timing of any infrastructure
or other building improvements intended to contain the
further spread of COVID-19 or prevent its reoccurrence at
the LaSalle Veterans' Home;
(3) The nature of changes made by the Department in
operating protocols and staff training thereon, intended
to contain the further spread of COVID-19 or prevent its
reoccurrence at the LaSalle Veterans' Home;
(4) The nature and extent of monitoring conducted by
the Department to determine whether the improvements and
protocols put in place are effective to ensure the safety
of residents and staff at the LaSalle Veterans' Home;
(5) The amount of State moneys received and the amount
of State moneys expended by IDPH or any other State agency
during State fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to address the
COVID-19 outbreaks at the LaSalle Veterans' Home; and
(6) To the extent information is available, whether

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the LaSalle Veterans' Home has been the subject of any
reviews since 2015 to determine its compliance with
applicable laws and regulations with regard to the care of
its residents and, if so, the results of those reviews;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Veterans'
Affairs, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Office
of the Governor, and any other State agency or other entity or
person that may have information relevant to this audit
cooperate fully and promptly with the Auditor General's
Office; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Auditor General is best equipped to
conduct an investigation given their understanding of the
policies and procedures associated with an outbreak response
by the Departments of Public Health and Veterans' Affairs and
the recommendations made in the 2019 Performance Audit; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Auditor General commence this audit as
soon as practical and report its findings and recommendations
upon completion in accordance with the provisions of Section
3-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

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delivered to the Auditor General.