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Quinn Tours LaSalle Veterans Home
Gov. Pat Quinn visited the LaSalle Veterans Home to tout his Fiscal Year 2010 state budget, which includes funding for 80 additional beds at the home. Construction is already complete, but there has been a lack of funding to care for those who will occupy the beds and the additional caretakers.

The additional funding would bring the home up to 200 beds. Although Quinn's budget must still be approved by the lawmakers in Springfield, Quinn told residents that "no matter what the fiscal situation, we don't cut back on veterans."

Illinois is facing an $11.5 billion budget shortfall that Quinn hopes to fix with increased taxes and budget cuts.

State Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) supported the effort to expand the LaSalle home. The movement started in 1992 when veterans from the home made their way to Springfield to relay to lawmakers the need for expansion. He says he is glad that the waiting list to get into the home will shrink with the additional beds.

Quinn also talked of opening a 200-bed veterans home in Chicago. While the site has been picked, funding for construction would come from a capital plan, something Quinn is pushing for but the state hasn't seen in years.

(Illinois Radio Network)
03 19 09 by Newsroom
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