Rep. Mitchell wants LDC opened to help veterans         

Letter to Gov. Blagojevich requests fund transfer to open cottages for veteran care; also suggests community decide additional use for 102 acres

[AUG. 3, 2006]  State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, offered a plan Thursday to open the Lincoln Developmental Center as a facility to care for veterans, especially those suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Mitchell has filed legislation appropriating $7 million to the Department of Veterans' Affairs to begin using the vacant facility.

"At a recent House Republican Veterans' Task Force hearing we learned about the growing number of older veterans suffering from Alzheimer's disease and the lack of available care for them at our veterans homes. Utilizing the four 10-bed units here at LDC to provide 24-hour-a-day care to for veterans with Alzheimer's disease would help fill a void while providing an economic boost to the region," said Mitchell.

The governor, in his budget address earlier this year, promised $7 million to reopen LDC but later changed his mind. However, the final budget for the Department of Human Services includes an unspecified appropriation totaling $7 million to be used for "grants to local governments, nonprofits and community providers."

"In addition to filing legislation appropriating $7 million to the Department of Veterans' Affairs, I have sent the governor a letter today asking that the $7 million be immediately transferred from DHS to the Department of Veterans' Affairs," said Mitchell.

Mitchell said the current administration is responsible for raiding millions of dollars from the Illinois Veterans' Rehabilitation Fund and has raided funding needed to staff the state's four veterans homes in Illinois.

"There are approximately 180 beds sitting empty in our veterans homes because the state has not provided enough funding to adequately fund these facilities, and there are some 800 underprivileged veterans waiting for access to nursing home care -- many of them with Alzheimer's disease," said Mitchell. "Rather than spend $1 million each year to keep the lights on and the water running at LDC, we should put the buildings to good use and fulfill an obligation to our veterans."

Mitchell also said he would like for the state to convene a summit of local residents, elected officials and business leaders to develop a long-range plan for the entire 102 acres.

Text of Mitchell's letter:

August 3, 2006

Honorable Governor Rod Blagojevich
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

Dear Governor,

Recently, I held a hearing of the House Republican Veterans’ Task Force in Bartonville. Many of the veterans testifying complained about the lack of available care for veterans suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. I am proposing that the state consider utilizing the 4 ten bed units at the Lincoln Developmental Center to provide 24 hour a day care for veterans with Alzheimer’s disease.

In your 2006 budget address, you pledged $7 million to reopen LDC, but later changed your mind. It has come to my attention that the final budget for the Department of Human Services includes an unspecified appropriation totaling $7 million to be used for "grants to local governments, non-profits, and community providers." I am requesting that you immediately transfer the $7 million from DHS to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in order to reopen LDC in a new capacity that will benefit our veterans.

There are approximately 180 beds sitting empty in our veterans’ homes because the state has not provided enough funding to adequate fund these facilities, and there are some 800 underprivileged veterans waiting for access to nursing home care. Statistics show that on average Alzheimer’s patients are entering the veterans’ homes 10 years before aged and disabled residents (around 60 years, whereas the average veteran enters between 60 and 70). This leads to lower patient turnover and longer stays; therefore the need for more beds.

I feel this $7 million appropriation would fulfill an obligation to our veterans while also providing an economic boost for Logan County. I strongly urge you to consider my request.

Governor, I would also encourage you to convene a summit of local residents, elected officials and business leaders to develop a long-range plan for the entire 102 acres.

I appreciate your prompt consideration of this matter, and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Bill Mitchell
State Representative

[News release from Rep. Bill Mitchell]