Illinois Delegation Members Call on President to Provide Federal Relief for Communities Impacted by December Storms & Flooding
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today joined by the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation in support of Governor Bruce Rauner’s request for federal assistance to help the counties that were hardest-hit following the storms and severe flooding that began on December 23, 2015 and continued through January 13, 2016. Preliminary Damage Assessments have determined that Illinois communities experienced significant uninsured losses and widespread property damage that totaled more than $15 million.
“As a result of torrential rainfall and winter storms, rivers in Illinois reached record-high levels and dangerous flooding occurred across the state,” wrote the Illinois members. “Preliminary Damage Assessments have determined that Illinois communities experienced significant uninsured losses and widespread property damage that totaled more than $15 million. While the state did not meet FEMA’s population-based threshold of $18.1 million, all counties included in the state’s request for federal assistance to local governments exceeded the required county threshold of $3.57 per capita.”
Members signing on to today’s letter include Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Mike Bost (R-IL), Danny Davis (D-IL), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Bob Dold (R-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Randy Hultgren (R-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Darrin LaHood (R-IL), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and John Shimkus (R-IL).
The Illinois members continued, “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. Supplemental federal assistance is necessary to help local governments in these counties recover up to 75 percent of their disaster-related expenses to clean up and rebuild. We respectfully request that you approve our request for federal assistance so counties can receive the financial assistance that they need.”
In a letter to President Obama, the Illinois members asked for Individual Assistance designations for the following 10 Illinois counties - Alexander, Christian, Clinton, Douglas, Iroquois, Jersey, Madison, Randolph, Sangamon, and St. Clair counties. Individual Assistance funding allows individuals and businesses to apply for low interest loans and other funding sources to help with temporary housing, home repairs or replacement and other disaster-related expenses.
A Public Assistance designation was requested for the following 16 Illinois counties – Alexander, Bureau, Calhoun, Cass, Cumberland, Jackson, Jersey, Madison, Menard, Monroe, Morgan, Moultrie, Pike, Randolph, St. Clair, and Vermilion counties. Public Assistance eligibility which would allow the State of Illinois, local governments, and certain non-profit organizations to apply for grants through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities.
Text of today’s delegation letter is below.
February 26, 2016
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 federal assistance for the State of Illinois to help 21 of the hardest-hit counties recover from severe flash and river flooding that began on December 23, 2015, and continued through January 13, 2016. Individual Assistance is requested for Alexander, Christian, Clinton, Douglas, Iroquois, Jersey, Madison, Randolph, Sangamon, and St. Clair counties. Public Assistance is requested for Alexander, Bureau, Calhoun, Cass, Cumberland, Jackson, Jersey, Madison, Menard, Monroe, Morgan, Moultrie, Pike, Randolph, St. Clair, and Vermilion counties. Federal assistance is necessary to help these counties recover and rebuild from the large-scale flood damage.
As a result of torrential rainfall and winter storms, rivers in Illinois reached record-high levels and dangerous flooding occurred across the state. The Mississippi River at Thebes reached a crest level of 47.7 feet, which is the highest level reached on record. Preliminary Damage Assessments have determined that Illinois communities experienced significant uninsured losses and widespread property damage that totaled more than $15 million. While the state did not meet FEMA’s population-based threshold of $18.1 million, all counties included in the state’s request for federal assistance to local governments exceeded the required county threshold of $3.57 per capita. Additionally, communities experienced road closures, evacuations, power outages, and at least ten fatalities – many of which were a result of flooded roadways.
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. Supplemental federal assistance is necessary to help local governments in these counties recover up to 75 percent of their disaster-related expenses to clean up and rebuild.
We respectfully request that you approve our request for federal assistance so counties can receive the financial assistance that 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,