 Approximately 15 tornadoes tore through Illinois this weekend,
leaving several communities badly damaged. The storms caused more
than 30 reported injuries but no deaths.Quinn said he made the
trip to remind residents that the state and federal governments
stand behind them as they recover from the storms.
"We want to make sure everyone who was hit by this tornado knows
that they've got a friend, a friend in government at the state and
local level, at the federal level with congressman (Debbie)
Halvorson," Quinn said.
The governor declared the four hardest hit counties state
disaster areas: LaSalle, Livingston, Peoria and Putnam counties. The
designation allows the state to begin the process of applying for
federal money to help the communities rebuild.
The tornadoes caused a litany of damage:
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In Livingston
County, 50 homes, including 40 mobile homes, were damaged and
dozens of individuals were reported injured.
-
In Peoria County,
the Elmwood Community Center lost part of its roof and sustained
other damage.
-
Areas of Putnam and LaSalle counties
have downed power lines and damaged homes.
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U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, D-Ill., said she is committed to
working on getting residents the help they need.
"I'm going to stay in contact with everybody necessary to make
sure that we do everything in our power to get the federal people
all the information we need to, to get the resources," Halvorson
said.
Halvorson said that in order for the state to receive federal
disaster relief money, damage must total at least $16 million or 150
homes must have been destroyed.
Damage was still being tallied on Monday.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By JENNIFER WESSNER]
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