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* Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for counties across central and southern Illinois that were impacted by recent storms and tornadoes. A disaster proclamation grants the State of Illinois the ability to expedite the use of state resources, personnel, or equipment, and allows the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to procure additional resources to help communities recover from the storms.
“My administration is committed to standing with Edwardsville and all of the surrounding communities affected in every aspect of the immediate recovery, as well as on the road to rebuilding,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Yesterday, I authorized a state disaster proclamation for Madison County, as well as all storm-impacted counties, to facilitate recovery efforts as well as the pursuit of additional federal resources. We are working directly with the White House and FEMA to ensure access to all federal resources for this community. And as local entities work to secure federal reimbursements and recovery dollars, we will assist every step of the way.”
In addition to high-speed winds that led to downed trees, powerlines, and other damages, six tornadoes were confirmed throughout Illinois. In Madison, the tornado caused the roof of a private business to collapse resulting in six fatalities and multiple injuries.
In response to the severe weather, the governor activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). Through the SEOC, multiple state agencies are offering assistance on the ground including Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Transportation, and Illinois Department of Public Health. The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Edwardsville Community Foundation, and other nonprofits are also providing services to local residents.
“Since Friday’s tragedy at the Amazon warehouse, local organizations and teams of first responders have worked tirelessly to provide stability and comfort to the Edwardsville community,” said State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon). “By enacting a disaster proclamation, the state is taking action to make resources readily available to assist residents during the recovery process.”
“As our community looks ahead following the devastating storms that hit our region last weekend, now is a time for us to come together to support each other and heal,” said State Representative Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville). “I want to thank Governor Pritzker for deploying resources to our region to help those who were directly impacted by the storms recover.”
“The disaster proclamation will provide our region additional resources and funding needed to help our community recover following Friday’s nights storm,” said State Representative Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg). “I appreciate everything our first responders and volunteers have and continue to do to help the region recover. I know this has been a difficult time for those impacted. I encourage anyone needing assistance to contact my office at 618-433-8046.”
“We in Madison County are still in shock and mourning. We appreciate the immediacy of the response from the State and Governor,” said Madison County Board Chair Kurt Prenzler.
Counties included in the disaster declaration include: Bond, Cass, Champaign, Coles, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Greene, Grundy, Iroquois, Jackson, Jersey, Kankakee, Lawrence, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Pike, Sangamon, Shelby, Tazewell, and Woodford.
Lot of Eastern Bloc counties on that list.
…Adding… Press release…
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) and Mike Bost (R-IL-12) today led every member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Biden urging the White House to support Governor J.B. Pritzker’s request for an Emergency Declaration for 28 counties. The letter follows severe weather and tornadoes this past weekend that led to six fatalities from the collapse of an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois.
“We are writing in support of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s request for an Emergency Declaration for the following Illinois counties to assist in the response to extensive tornado damage: Bond, Cass, Champaign, Coles, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Greene, Grundy, Iroquois, Jackson, Jersey, Kankakee, Lawrence, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Pike, Sangamon, Shelby, Tazewell, and Woodford,” wrote the lawmakers.
“Governor Pritzker has determined that this incident is of such severity that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments, and the State is in need of Public Assistance to continue responding to and recovering from this tragic disaster,” the letter concluded.
The full letter is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:06 pm
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I wonder if Devore will go to court to block this one.
Comment by Excitable Boy Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:22 pm
Guess Senator Bailey was too busy buying votes in the Chicago Suburbs to care about this today.
Comment by Publius Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:28 pm
Statement from Bailey campaign.
“Don’t let dictator Pritzker control your lives. The constitution says we are free. If we don’t want to go to shelter when these “tornadoes” are near, he can’t make us. And plus, the fake news is of course distorting the real effect of the “tornadoes” to help dictator Pritzker. And being the socialist that dictator Pritzker is, he is wasting your tax dollars on this issue when the “market” will take care of it.” /s?
Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:36 pm
Democratic Governors: I am the Governor of the whole state.
GOP Legislators: “[Redacted] Chicago. [Redacted] /i/those/i/ people from Chicago.”
Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:56 pm
Looks like Menard County needs to be added to the disaster area. The Atterbury tornado (a small town 5 miles northwest of Petersburg) has now been rated F2. Although that seems to be a continuation of the Cass County storm system.
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2021/12/13/second-illinois-tornado-friday-confirmed-national-weather-service/6490154001/
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:11 pm
==Looks like Menard County needs to be added to the disaster area.==
And this is the second time in 11 years that Menard County has had a major tornado during a rare December tornado outbreak. The New Year’s Eve tornado outbreak in 2010 caused damage to farm buildings between Petersburg and New Salem State Park, among other areas.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:13 pm
US Rep Miller was noticeably absent from the request. Typical, what a waste of space.
Comment by Down South Dem Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:20 pm
The press release states “every member” and a Mary Miler is on it. It seems to me to be a time to help, not attack.
Comment by The Magnificent Purple Walnut Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 2:30 pm
Miller, not Miler. Tough getting old…
Comment by The Magnificent Purple Wombat Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 2:31 pm
I wonder if the eastern bloc will try and sue the governor declaring his disaster proclamation illegal?
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 3:09 pm
No nonAFSCMEinChatham - Menard Co. EMA told us that not enough uninsured damaged occurred in the county to warrant being included in the disaster declaration. The EF-2 tornado that touched down in Menard was mostly in cornfields and remote portions of the county that is sparsely populated. Damage to 1 home and 2 other machine sheds were what was reported.
Comment by WLDS News Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 3:23 pm
“I wonder if the eastern bloc will try and sue the governor declaring his disaster proclamation illegal?”
Only if there is a follow on disaster declaration, meaning the disaster lasted longer than 30 days.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 4:06 pm
WLDS, uninsured totals are typically figured into damage to property. From what it sounds like, the Governor is seeking a Public Assistance declaration which would cover costs such as overtime, debris removal, and any emergency protective measures that were necessary. It is important to know, after you take the total of all the counties damages, you will need a very large number to be considered for declaration. $18M would be a good estimate…
Comment by NeveroddoreveN Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 4:33 pm
Good for her, I am glad she finally did something like this, still a gigantic, embarrassing, simple minded waste of space.
Comment by Down State Dem Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 4:45 pm