05.10.13

Durbin, Kirk: Disaster Declaration for Eleven Illinois Counties Will Help Severe Storm Recovery

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today praised the decision by President Obama to declare eleven Illinois counties – Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will – federal disaster areas.  The President’s disaster declaration triggers the release of federal funds to help individuals and businesses recover from severe storms and flooding that began on April 18, 2013.

 

“The severe storms in April caused some of the worst flooding that we have ever seen in the Chicago area and surrounding counties,” said Durbin and Kirk. “We are pleased to hear that the President has issued a disaster declaration so quickly for the eleven counties identified in the state’s request earlier this week. This declaration will give individuals and businesses critical access to low interest loans and other funding sources to help them rebuild.”

 

All eleven counties are designated eligible 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.  Additionally, 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.