WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 21, 2013. U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) were joined by the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation today in sending a letter to President Obama asking him to add 16 Illinois counties – Bureau, Crawford, Henderson, Knox, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Warren and Woodford – to the recent Presidential disaster declaration for counties affected by a flash and river flooding that occurred last month.
Today’s delegation letter comes in support of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s request letter to President Obama – sent on Friday – which cited reports from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency of more than 800 flood-damaged homes in the 16 counties, including 14 homes that were destroyed and 202 with major damage.
“We fully support federal aid for these sixteen additional counties, which will ensure people there have access to funding sources they need to rebuild,” the Illinois Members wrote. “A disaster declaration for these additional counties would allow people affected by flooding to apply for federal loans and reimbursements to help pay for storm and flood damage repairs. Specifically, the request is for Individual Assistance funding, which provides assistance to individuals and businesses to help with temporary housing, home repairs or replacement and other disaster-related expenses.”
On May 10, President Obama declared 11 Illinois counties – Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will – federal disaster areas triggering the release of federal funds to help individuals and businesses recover from severe storms and flooding that began on April 18, 2013. Durbin and Kirk joined the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation in supporting Governor Quinn’s request for this assistance. As part of that declaration, all Illinois counties have been designated for Hazard Mitigation Assistance areas which include funding for measures designed to reduce future losses to public and private property.
Members signing on to today’s letter include Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Danny Davis (D-IL), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bill Enyart (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Randy Hultgren (R-IL),Robin Kelly (D-IL),Adam Kinzinger (R-IL),Dan Lipinski (D-IL),Mike Quigley (D-IL), Peter Roskam (R-IL),Bobby Rush (D-IL),Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Aaron Schock (R-IL) andJohn Shimkus (R-IL).
[Text of the letter below]
May 21, 2013
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. President:
We write in support of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s request for a federal disaster declaration for 16 Illinois counties – Bureau, Crawford, Henderson, Knox, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Warren and Woodford – to be added to the recent Presidential disaster declaration for 11 counties affected by a flash and river flooding that occurred last month. We fully support federal aid for these sixteen additional counties, which will ensure people there have access to funding sources they need to rebuild.
A disaster declaration for these additional counties would allow people affected by flooding to apply for federal loans and reimbursements to help pay for storm and flood damage repairs. Specifically, the request is for Individual Assistance funding, which provides assistance to individuals and businesses to help with temporary housing, home repairs or replacement and other disaster-related expenses.
We respectfully request that you make the necessary declaration so that these counties can receive the assistance they need. We thank you in advance for your timely consideration of this important request and stand ready to assist in any way appropriate.
Sincerely,
Source: kirk.senate.gov
