Governor Quinn Announces Federal Assistance Approved for Seven Counties Affected By July Floods

CHICAGO – September 13, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the state’s request for federal assistance to local governments affected by severe storms and flooding in late July has been approved for seven counties.

“This declaration is good news for local governments in these seven counties that are struggling to replace roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure damaged by flood waters,” said Governor Quinn. “While we’re very happy to secure federal assistance for local governments in these counties, we will continue to work with the counties that weren’t approved to see if they have additional information that would support an appeal.”

The federal disaster declaration will enable local governments in Adams, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Pike, Schuyler and Stephenson counties to recover 75 percent of their extraordinary costs related to storm response and recovery.

Assessments conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) in 13 counties impacted by storms and flooding determined that costs to local governments for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairs or replacement of roads, bridges and other public facilities totaled nearly $23 million.

“We will work closely with FEMA to help expedite reimbursement to these local governmental bodies,” said IEMA Interim Director Joe Klinger.

On Aug. 19, President Obama approved Governor Quinn’s request for federal assistance for people and businesses in seven northern Illinois counties affected by the storms and flooding. Since that time, more than $146 million in federal assistance has been approved to help people with storm-related costs.

Additional information about the state’s storm response efforts is available at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.