* Press release…
Governor Bruce Rauner today expressed his desire for Illinois to serve as a host state for disaster victims from Puerto Rico who were displaced by Hurricane Maria. Rauner contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Region V office in Chicago to let them know the state of Illinois would like to be considered for FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which FEMA and announced on Monday.
“Illinois continues to stand ready to help our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico as they recover from the unbelievable destruction caused by Hurricane Maria,” said Rauner. “At the very least, it will be many months before some survivors will once again have a home on the island. We want to do everything possible to help them through this very difficult time.”
Under the TSA program, FEMA is seeking host states in the Continental U.S. to coordinate support for Puerto Ricans displaced by the hurricane. FEMA will reimburse host states for 100 percent of eligible sheltering costs.
Rauner has directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to work with FEMA Region V staff on a host state agreement. Puerto Rican Governor Rosello will determine what states serve as host states.
On Oct. 1, Governor Rauner contacted Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rosello to express Illinois’ willingness and ability to send state personnel and assets to assist him and the citizens of Puerto Rico as they work to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 10:57 am:
This is what governors do.
Really glad to read this and hope Puerto Rico calls and asks for help and we here in Illinois do all we can.
Well done, Governor.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 10:57 am:
What made the governor so compassionate all of a sudden? Where was the same compassion for Syrian refugees? Heck, where is his compassion for the Americans in the USVI?
- Norseman - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 10:57 am:
Novel idea. Invite people from a storm devastated territory to come to a financially devastated state. The problem is that it’s going to be hard to get the word out the the Puerto Ricans since most are still out of power.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:02 am:
What a man of action? The storm was ? he has cut welcome center $ how many times? There are universities with empty dorms all over the state that could be put to use —- for instance
- Montrose - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:03 am:
Good on him. Give credit where credit is due. HE is doing the right thing.
- DeseDemDose - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:06 am:
Rauner doesn’t advocate paying current Illinois social service providers now and so many had to close up. More phony baloney…
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:09 am:
==Where was the same compassion for Syrian refugees? ==
When Syria becomes a territory of the US, and it’s citizens become US citizens, and the funds paying for the relocation will be fully reimbursed by the Feds, then these we’ll be comparable situations. But they’re not.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:15 am:
I believe in giving credit when it’s due. Well done, Governor.
Does anyone know who stole Bruce Rauner?
- Obamas Puppy - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:18 am:
Cue Ives in 4, 3, 2, and 1…
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:18 am:
Since our state is losing population, not a bad idea to welcome newcomers. There is an established and thriving Puerto Rican community in Chicago.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:25 am:
Pure politics by a unpopular Governor coming up for reelection next year. This man stood around and watched while his self created budget crisis decimated social services for our most vulnerable citizens in Illinois. Now he’s trying to reinvent himself as someone who cares. Don’t be fooled.
- Ryan - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:25 am:
Somebody’s Lookin’ for votes.
- Nick Name - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:29 am:
The union buster wants more workers to exploit.
- Chicago_Downstater - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:37 am:
I don’t much care what his reasons are here. The outcome is a positive and that’s enough for me to welcome the effort.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:38 am:
I don’t absolve Rauner for the past 2 1/2+ years, not have I forgotten nor will I be fooled.
What I am is pleased.
This is what a governor should do, and I’ve removed for the moment Rauner from this decision.
I can be just as pleased about this and still recognize Rauner as who he and the biproduct that it’s good politically too.
- Montrose - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:39 am:
To all those that are responding to this move by finding reasons to knock Rauner - I dislike the man and his policies and politics as much as any one, but this move is a good one. Don’t we want him to do things like this? Can’t we set aside the partisan stuff for a couple minutes to acknowledge he is doing the right thing? We still have plenty of things to criticize him about.
- Rocky - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:43 am:
Can we believe him?
- A guy - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:52 am:
Applaud decency when you encounter it. I’m clapping.
- We'll See - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:56 am:
Good for him, and here’s to hoping the seeds of compassion take root.
- Flippy - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 12:07 pm:
I did not, and will not ever, vote for him, but in this case and with signing HB40, he has done the right thing.
- Gruntled University Employee - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 12:18 pm:
A) They’re United States citizens so this is not your typical refuge situation.
B) I’ll bet the GOP Governors Association will back any proposal that keeps these United States citizens from settling in Florida and jeopardizing it’s “Purple State” status.
- thunderspirit - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 12:46 pm:
Kudos to the Governor for this.
- Plutocrat03 - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 12:54 pm:
Nice sentiment to help our citizens and neighbors from Puerto Rico, but wouldn’t people from a tropical climate be better served by getting temporary housing in a climate that is mire like they are used to?
I’ve lived here for decades and I can’t say I like the winters here.
- Corrupt Collectivist - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 1:00 pm:
Agree with Gruntled 100%. A cynical ploy to lure them from Florida, where they can do something to help themselves. Expect no less from this governor.
- Humboldt - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 1:07 pm:
The Humboldt Park Puerto Rican Evacuee Welcome Center has been in the works for a bit and is opening today. https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20171102/humboldt-park/humboldt-park-puerto-rican-welcome-center-chicago-when-does-the-welcome-center-open?utm_content=buffer0f3da&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=DNAinfoCHI
- anon2 - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 1:17 pm:
Whatever Rauner’s motives, it’s the right thing to do. Democrats ought to make sure the new residents get registered to vote.
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 1:18 pm:
It was me at 11:25. I’m not saying he shouldn’t do it. It is a good thing to do. All I’m saying is he’s doing it to help himself more than anything else. I’ve watched how he has conducted himself these last 3 years. Recently he’s been reinventing himself. If he is reelected he will then spend the next 4 years not having to be held accountable by the voters again. That’s a scary thought and one we can’t take a chance on.
- DuPage Bard - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 1:27 pm:
It’s about time Rauner follows Rahm’s lead. Rauner keeps becoming a Democrat more and more each day. Can he change petitions in time to run as one?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 1:39 pm:
BTIA(TM) is really on the ball. Storm refugees have already been coming to Illinois for more than a month.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/mayor-chicago-welcomes-puerto-ricans-fleeing-their-destroyed-homes/
- Liberty - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 1:42 pm:
Rauner wants Illinois to send employees…
Rauner loves employees…
- Ron - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 3:57 pm:
Good, we need more people.
- SAP - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 4:09 pm:
Good for the Governor, he made a good move. Sometimes it’s useful to remember that good government is good politics.
- Nick Name - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 4:15 pm:
===I’ll bet the GOP Governors Association will back any proposal that keeps these United States citizens from settling in Florida and jeopardizing it’s “Purple State” status.===
Agree 100 percent. That’s the ulterior motive here: keep Florida from flipping blue in 2020.
- Ron - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 5:27 pm:
Lol, this has nothing to do with Florida. I guarantee Florida will receive a far larger number of fleeing Puerto Ricans than illinois.