After Weeks of Heavy Rain, Durbin, Kirk Lead Illinois Delegation Call for Federal Relief for Illinois Farmers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) were joined by the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation today sending a letter to President Obama asking him to issue a Secretarial Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Illinois counties impacted by heavy rainfall, which will allow farmers in the region severely impacted by flooding to receive low interest emergency USDA loans.
Today’s delegation letter comes in support of Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s request letter to Secretary Vilsack – sent on Tuesday – which cited reports from the Illinois Farm Services Agency of extensive water damage to corn and soybean fields and low projected crop yields.
“Since June 1, excessive rainfall has caused significant damage to Illinois’ crops,” the Members wrote. “On behalf of affected Illinois farmers, we respectfully request that you issue a Secretarial Disaster Declaration and that USDA disaster loans and emergency funding be offered to eligible counties that have been hurt by these catastrophic weather events.”
Members signing on to the letter of support include: U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-IL), U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL), U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL), U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL), U.S. Representative Robert Dold (R-IL), U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL), U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (R-IL), U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL), U.S. Representative Dan Lipinksi (D-IL), U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL), U.S. Representative Peter Roskam (R-IL), U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL), U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and U.S. Representative John Shimkus (R-IL).
The full text of today’s letter is below.
July 24, 2015
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. President:
We write to support Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s request for a Secretarial Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for eligible counties in Illinois as a result of the significant damage done to crops by excessive rainfall since June 1, 2015.
Since June 1, excessive rainfall has caused significant damage to Illinois’ crops. At an average of 9.37 inches statewide, June was the second-wettest month on record in Illinois after a statewide average of 9.62 inches in September 1926. Farmers in Illinois have been unable to complete the planting of their crops. For example, only three days in the past week were suitable for fieldwork. This week the USDA released a report showing more than half the state’s soybean and 45 percent of the corn crop were in poor to fair condition. Crop yields in affected areas are projected to be considerably lower this year. The Governor seeks timely federal assistance from the USDA.
Governor Rauner has determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary. On behalf of affected Illinois farmers, we respectfully request that you issue a Secretarial Disaster Declaration and that USDA disaster loans and emergency funding be offered to eligible counties that have been hurt by these catastrophic weather events.
We thank you in advance for your timely consideration of this important request and stand ready to assist in any way appropriate.