WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 31, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement following President Bush’s announcement that Greene County is now eligible for Public Assistance. According to FEMA, Public Assistance funds can be used to repair or replace disaster-damaged facilities and infrastructure.
“We commend the efforts of all the federal, state and local agencies involved in responding to this disaster. Today’s decision to provide additional federal disaster assistance to Greene County which was hit hard by the devastating floods will give communities, families and businesses the help they need to repair the damage and rebuild their lives. As the recovery efforts move forward, we will continue to work in Washington to ensure a coordinated federal response to the disaster.”
Prior to today’s designation, twenty-two Illinois counties – Adams, Calhoun, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglass, Edgar, Hancock, Henderson, Jasper, Jersey, Lake, Lawrence, Madison, Mercer, Monroe, Pike, Randolph, Rock Island, St. Clair and Winnebago – have been designated as eligible for Public Assistance.
Additionally, eighteen Illinois counties – Adams, Calhoun, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Hancock, Henderson, Jasper, Jersey, Lake, Lawrence, Mercer, Rock Island, Whiteside and Winnebago – have been designated as eligible for Individual Assistance. According to FEMA, Individual Assistance provides assistance to households for rent, repairs, replacement of home and personal goods up to a maximum of $28,800 per household. FEMA aid is designed to complement rather than replace private insurance, so any claims paid by private companies will be taken into account in the determination of a FEMA grant.
Last month, Durbin and other members of the Illinois Congressional sent a letter to President Bush requesting additional disaster assistance to cope with severe flooding which affected four states and scores of local communities. Illinois Congressional Delegation members signing that letter included Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), Representatives Melissa Bean (D-IL), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Phil Hare (D-IL), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), Tim Johnson (R-IL), Ray LaHood (R-IL), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Don Manzullo (R-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL).
