The Latest: Rauner aides not at Legionnaires' hearing

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Latest on the Illinois Senate's inquiry in the Legionnaires' disease crisis at the Quincy veterans' home (all times local):

2:20 p.m.

Senate Democrats blasted Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration for failing to appear to answer questions about a report showing a possible fix for a veterans' home beset by Legionnaires' disease would cost far less than what officials have repeatedly said.

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Cullerton called the hearing for Tuesday after the Associated Press obtained the report last week. He says the administration told him officials couldn't attend on such short notice.

The AP reported the August 2016 engineering estimate shows replacing plumbing that likely harbors the deadly Legionella virus at the Quincy home would cost $8 million. Officials told lawmakers it would be at least $25 million.

Democrats said there's no reason the administration can't answer questions about a report they've had 18 months. Republicans say they want answers but understood the timing problems.

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12:05 p.m.

The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee plans a hearing Tuesday on a 2016 engineers' report that estimated an $8 million cost to replace plumbing at a veterans' home stung by Legionnaires' disease.

The Associated Press reported last week that the estimate is far below the $25 million to $30 million cost Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration had cited to lawmakers. Experts have said since the first outbreak at the Quincy home in 2015 that antiquated plumbing could house Legionella bacteria responsible for the deadly pneumonia-like malady.

Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Erica Jeffries initially told WBEZ Chicago that new plumbing could cost more than $500 million.

Elgin Democratic Sen. Cristina Castro requested a copy of the report. The administration gave her one only after AP obtained it under the public-records law.