Gov. Blagojevich Directs Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff to Honor Victims of NIU Tragedy

Governor to Visit NIU Campus to Meet With University Officials, State and Local Responders

[February 15, 2008]  DeKALB -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich ordered all state facilities to lower the U.S. and Illinois state flags to half-staff Friday in memory of the victims of yesterday's tragic shootings at Northern Illinois University. In wake of the tragedy, the governor will travel to NIU's campus today to meet with university officials and emergency responders. State facilities are to fly flags at half-staff until Feb. 23.

"Today is a difficult day for us in Illinois," said Blagojevich. "All of the victims are in my thoughts and prayers, and my heart goes out to the entire NIU community, the students, the faculty, the administration and their families. It is unimaginable that something like this could happen again in one of our universities, especially right here in Illinois. I want to thank everyone who has opened their hearts and reached out to lend a hand, and I especially want to commend all the emergency personnel who are working hard to help the NIU community. We will continue to help university officials and state and local emergency responders in any way we can."

The governor declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon in the aftermath of the shootings. The declaration opens the governor's disaster relief fund for local units of government to reimburse them for their extraordinary expenses related to the response in NIU DeKalb and will facilitate the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in providing assistance to local units of government in responding to and recovering from this event. Blagojevich also activated the State Emergency Operation Center to coordinate the state's response and to provide on-site assistance at NIU.

Additional information and updates are available at http://ready.illinois.gov/.

The governor's proclamation follows:

WHEREAS, yesterday afternoon, a gunman opened fire on the campus of Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb. More than 20 people were wounded, and multiple fatalities have been reported; and

WHEREAS, this senseless act of violence comes less than a year after the deadliest campus shooting in U.S. history. Despite efforts made to prevent another tragedy like the one that occurred at Virginia Tech, it happened again right here in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, all the victims are in my thoughts and prayers, and my heart goes out to the entire NIU community, the students, the faculty, the administration and their families; and

WHEREAS, in the immediate aftermath of yesterday's shooting, I activated the State Emergency Operation Center to coordinate the State's assistance in responding. I also declared a state of emergency, which opens the disaster relief fund for local units of government and facilitates the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in providing assistance; and

WHEREAS, the administration of NIU has cancelled all classes and events and closed all campuses until further notice. Students can go to any residence hall for counseling. They have also established the following hotlines for students and parents: [phone]; [phone]; [phone]; [phone]; [phone]; and [phone]; and

WHEREAS, I want to thank everyone who has opened their hearts and reached out to lend a hand, and I especially want to commend all the emergency personnel who are working hard under extremely difficult circumstances to help the NIU community; and

WHEREAS, in the days ahead, there will be many memorials and services to mark this terrible and tragic event:

THEREFORE, I, Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim a period of mourning for the NIU victims in Illinois, and order all state facilities to fly flags at half-staff until February 23, 2008.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]