Nearly $260 Million in Federal Assistance Already Approved for July Floods; Largest Amount of Disaster Assistance in State History

SPRINGFIELD - October 14, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today urged people affected by the July floods to apply for federal disaster assistance to help them recover from the storms. The deadline for registration was extended this week to Nov. 17 after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Governor Quinn's extension request.

"With more than 1,000 applications for assistance still coming in each day, this extension will help ensure that everyone who was affected by the July floods has a chance to apply for aid," said Governor Quinn. "This disaster has impacted more people than any other in our state's history and already a historic level of federal assistance has been approved for people who were affected."

Nearly $260 million in federal assistance has already been approved to help flood victims recover, and that figure continues to increase as more applications are approved. That amount is greater than federal assistance for any other disaster in Illinois history. According to FEMA, this is also the biggest federal disaster in the history of FEMA's Region V, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

On Oct. 6, Governor Quinn asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to extend the registration period to Nov. 17. This 30-day extension of the original Oct. 18 deadline will ensure that everyone needing help has an opportunity to apply for the aid. Since Aug. 19, when FEMA approved Governor Quinn's request for federal assistance for people and businesses affected by the floods, more than 123,000 applications have been received and nearly $260 million in assistance has been approved.

"In most cases, the number of applications dwindles considerably as the deadline nears," said Joe Klinger, Interim Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. "But with so many people applying each day, we know that the need for assistance is still great. This extension will enable more people to get the help they need."

Counties included in the federal declaration for assistance to people and businesses include Cook, Carroll, DuPage, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago.

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Project will Foster Economic Growth in Northeast Illinois

CHICAGO - October 8, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a more than $7 million business investment package that will keep U.S. Cellular Corporation in Illinois. The decision by one of the nation's leading communications companies will create 25 new jobs and retain 1,075 jobs at its corporate headquarters in Chicago and at another facility in Bensenville.

"U.S. Cellular knows that there is no better place for a company to expand and create more jobs than Illinois, and that is why it chose to make this major investment in our state," said Governor Quinn. "By listening to and responding to the needs and priorities of companies like U.S. Cellular, we are again proving that Illinois is a great state to do business in and putting more people to work."

U.S. Cellular is renewing the leases for its Chicago headquarters and a management information systems hub in Bensenville. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the state's $7.1 million business investment package, which consists of Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits. The package will leverage more than $14.6 million in private investment.

"We are proud to call the State of Illinois our home, and we look forward to continuing to serve its residents and all of our other customers around the country with the first-rate wireless service they deserve," said Tom Weber, VP Financial & Real Estate Services for U.S. Cellular.

The state's competitive investment package helped Illinois edge out several other states for U.S. Cellular's expansion. Illinois has added nearly 38,000 new jobs in 2010, and so far this year Illinois' economy has grown faster than the national economy.

"Governor Quinn recognizes the importance of partnering with innovative companies like U.S. Cellular in building a platform for our continued economic growth and creating more jobs," said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. "By renewing its leases in Chicago and Bensenville, U.S. Cellular is demonstrating its commitment to Northeast Illinois, which is poised for vibrant growth as the state continues its economic recovery."

U.S. Cellular is committed to fixing wireless one project at a time. The Chicago-based carrier, named one of Forbes Magazine's 2010 "Most Trustworthy Companies", recently unveiled The Belief Project, a series of industry-first, innovative solutions designed to elevate the customer experience. The Belief Project complements U.S. Cellular's growing catalog of cutting-edge phones, all backed by its nationwide 3G network. For the 10th reporting period in a row, U.S. Cellular has received the J.D. Power and Associates award for overall call quality in the North Central Region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com.   

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CHICAGO - September 7, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today issued a statement regarding the passing of former state representative and Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold.

"Joel was good man and a devoted public servant whom I have known for many years.

"During his 20 years in the Illinois General Assembly, he served residents of the Quad Cities with great energy and commitment. Then, as director of the Department of Natural Resources, Joel led efforts to build the World Shooting Complex in Sparta - which has been a great thing for the state of Illinois.

"Joel was an avid outdoorsman who cared about the environment and the outdoors. We will miss him greatly."

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Applications Available at Illinois Department of Human Services Offices in Seven Counties

CHICAGO - August 30, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) will offer immediate food assistance to Northern Illinois flood victims. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services has authorized DHS to offer special Disaster SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) benefits for residents of seven counties declared federal disaster areas as a result of flash flooding in late July.

"The recent floods in Cook and six other northern Illinois counties have had a devastating effect on many families and businesses," said Governor Quinn. "Flood victims have immediate needs such as employment, food, clothing and shelter. This emergency program will provide immediate help to families that are recovering from these devastating floods."

Individuals may be eligible for Disaster Food Stamps if they live or work in specific areas of the following counties: Cook, DuPage, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stevenson and Winnebago. Illinois residents who lived or worked in a disaster area within one of these counties at the time of the disaster may qualify for this special program. To qualify, a person must have had damage to their home or business, disaster-related expenses that were not reimbursed, or a loss or reduction of income during the period of July 22, 2010 through Aug. 20, 2010.

Disaster SNAP benefits will be provided to families based on total income and assets available to a household during the disaster. Non-reimbursed disaster-related expenses are allowed as a deduction from income and assets. A qualifying two-person family with a net income of less than $1,815 would receive $367 and a one-person household with a net income of less than $1,503 would receive $200. Most benefits will be available within three days of the date of application.

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food for human consumption, but cannot be used to buy alcoholic drinks, tobacco products or non-food products. Benefits must be used within 90 days.

Applications for SNAP benefits are available starting today at certain Illinois Department of Human Services offices. Applicants must bring proof of their identity and their residence or job in a disaster area prior to the disaster.

For more information about SNAP benefits or to find the nearest DHS location, please call DHS at 1-800-843-6154. A list of DHS offices accepting applications is included in the attached fact sheet. Applications will be accepted now through Sept. 3 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.

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