Governor Quinn Requests Federal Aid for Local Governments Hit by Tornadoes

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today requested federal aid to help local governments in nine Illinois counties recover from the Nov. 17 deadly tornado outbreak. Counties included in the request include Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Massac, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Wayne and Woodford. If the request is approved, local governments could receive reimbursement for 75 percent of eligible disaster-related costs such as overtime, debris removal and repair and replacement of damaged public property.

"More than two dozen tornadoes tore through the state on Nov. 17, leaving behind widespread heartbreak and damage," Governor Quinn said. "This federal aid would help ensure these communities fully recover from this disaster while providing vital services to their residents."

Today's request included documentation of tornado-related expenses, such as emergency protective measures, debris removal and repair or replacement of government-owned facilities incurred by the nine counties. The information was collected by representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as they met with local government representatives in affected counties earlier this month.

The request also noted other impacts from the tornadoes, including winter weather conditions that will delay debris clean up and rebuilding, affected communities still dealing with costs related to flood events in April 2013 and April 2011 and public property losses that may not be completely covered by insurance.

Governor Quinn already has secured federal aid to help people and businesses in Champaign, Douglas, Fayette, Grundy, Jasper, LaSalle, Massac, Pope, Tazewell, Vermilion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, Will and Woodford counties recover from the Nov. 17 tornadoes. To date, nearly 2,000 people in those counties have applied for assistance, with more than $1.3 million in federal grants and more than $1.5 million in low-interest loans already approved.

The deadline for people to apply for federal aid is Jan. 27, 2014.