Illinois Delegation Asks President Obama for Tornado Relief

Members signing on to the letter include Republican Sen. Mark Kirk and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin and Democratic Reps. Cheri Bustos, Danny Davis, Tammy Duckworth, William Enyart, Bill Foster, Luis Gutierrez, Robin Kelly, Dan Lipinski, Mike Quigley, Bobby Rush, Jan Schakowsky, Brad Schneider, and Republicans Hultgren, Rodney Davis, Adam Kinzinger, Peter Roskam,  Aaron Schock and John Shimkus.

The full text of the letter follows:

November 25, 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 the State of Illinois to help 15 counties recover from extensive tornado damage incurred on November 17, 2013. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance (IA) program is needed to help people in the following Illinois counties clean up and rebuild after this disaster: Champaign, Douglas, Fayette, Grundy, Jasper, LaSalle, Massac, Pope, Tazewell, Vermilion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, Will, and Woodford. Governor Quinn indicates that the damage to homes and businesses in these counties is of such severity and magnitude that effective response and recovery is beyond state and local capabilities.

The 15 counties listed above were pummeled by the fourth largest November tornado outbreak in U.S. history. The storm system produced 67 tornadoes throughout the Midwest, 24 of which touched down in Illinois, causing widespread destruction throughout the state. The tornadoes resulted in six Illinois fatalities and at least 180 injuries.

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.

SOURCE: Randy Hultgren press release