Politics & Government

Flood Assessors Working in DuPage Starting This Week

Governor Pat Quinn has been touring affected counties and said that the results of the assessments will be used to request federal aid.

Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and local governing bodies began assessing flood damage in DuPage County (as well as in Cook and Lake counties) this week, according to a press release from the Illinois Government News Network

The assessments are critical to attempts to secure federal government aid for counties affected by the mid-April floods, including grants and low-interest loans for individuals, and such loans for businesses, affected by the rising waters. Next week, assessors will begin discussions with local governments as well, which are eligible for up to 75 percent aid for flood-related expenses.

“These teams will collect information that is critical for our request for federal assistance to help people and businesses recover from this devastating flood,” Governor Quinn said in the release. “As people continue to rebuild their lives after this widespread disaster, this support will help them." 

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Gov. Quinn has made personal visits to many flood-affected areas throughout the state, including Elmhurst in DuPage, and declared 48 counties to be disaster areas.

Illinois state assistance has come from the Department of Transportation, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois National Guard, the Illinois State Police, the Department of Public Health, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Central Management Services. 

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A full list of state assistance is available in the original IGGN release.

Illinois Senators Mark Kirk (R) and Dick Durbin (D), along with a delegation of Illinois congressional representatives, have also sent a letter to President Obama asking for a major disaster declaration for Illinois.

“The State of Illinois has determined that state and local funds are not adequate to address the damage to public infrastructure and costs related to debris removal and emergency protective measures resulting from this weather event,” wrote the Illinois Delegation Members.

“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.”

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