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Obama, Durbin Applaud President's Approval of Federal Assistance for Iroquois and Livingston Counties

Friday, March 7, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michael Ortiz (Obama) or Christina Mulka (Durbin)

More than 1000 homes were damaged during devastating flooding in Iroquois and Livingston Counties

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today praised the decision by President Bush to declare Iroquois and Livingston Counties federal disaster areas after devastating flooding in January. The President's disaster declaration triggers the release of federal funds to help people and municipalities recover from severe storms and flooding which occurred in that area. More than 1000 homes were impacted, and almost 237 homes were classified as sustaining major damage.

On February 21, 2008, Senators Obama and Durbin joined Representative Tim V. Johnson (R-IL) to call on the President to make this federal disaster declaration.

"The families and businesses in Iroquois and Livingston Counties affected by these floods deserve our government's assistance to rebuild as quickly as possible," Senator Obama said. "With this declaration, they can now access grants and loans so they can recover. I will continue working with Senator Durbin and the Illinois delegation to ensure that Illinois' communities have the resources they need to best respond to natural disasters."

"I am glad that the President reversed his decision allowing Iroquois and Livingston counties access to badly needed funding," said Durbin. "I thank Mayor Scott McCoy of Pontiac, who I met with earlier this week for his extra efforts to secure this declaration. This Presidential disaster declaration begins the release of federal funds to help residents and businesses recover from severe storms and flooding."

Due to the significant damage sustained by public and private property during the floods, federal assistance will provide various grants and loans to assist with the ongoing recovery efforts in the area.