Senators Dick Durbin and Barack Obama Commend Gov. Blagojevich's Preemptive Disaster Declaration for Illinois Flooding

June 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement following Governor Rod Blagojevich’s preemptive declaration of state disaster areas for some Illinois countries that are expecting major floods next week. Earlier today, Obama and Durbin sent a letter to the Governor asking him to consider making this declaration.

“We commend Governor Blagojevich for his decision to preemptively call for state assistance to deal with the expected flooding in the days ahead.

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“This declaration will ensure our state's emergency personnel have the resources they need to prepare Illinois communities in affected flood areas.

“We will continue to do everything we can to help our state to face this challenge.”

Governor Blagojevich also sent a letter to the President requesting direct federal assistance to help the communities affected that will be affected by the flooding. Over the next few days, Durbin and Obama will work with the Governor to secure the federal emergency funding necessary for Illinois communities to respond and recover from flooding.

Source: Senator Dick Durbin