Senators Durbin, Obama Applaud President for Federal Snow Assistance

March 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today applauded the decision by President Bush to declare seven Illinois counties - Boone, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lake, McHenry, Stephenson and Winnebago - federal snow emergency areas. Last month, Representatives Melissa Bean (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Don Manzullo (R-IL) joined Durbin and Obama in sending a letter to President Bush in support of Governor Blagojevich's request for assistance.

"I applaud this quick decision to provide federal assistance," said Durbin. "Resources in communities throughout Illinois have been stretched to the limit this winter. I hope that with this funding they will now have the opportunity to fully recover from the storms."

"The families and businesses in these counties deserve our assistance in rebuilding after these damaging winter storms," said Senator Obama. "I commend the President's decision to provide these residents access to federal grants and loans, and I will work with Senator Durbin and the Illinois delegation to ensure these communities can recover as quickly as possible."

Governmental bodies in the affected counties would be eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent of overtime labor costs for snow removal during a 48-hour period, as well as overtime costs for emergency personnel directly related to the snow removal efforts. Governor Blagojevich declared the seven counties in northern Illinois state disaster areas as a result of heavy snowfall this month that resulted in road closures, school closings, hazardous road conditions, and the depletion of state and local snow removal resources.

Source: Senator Barack Obama

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