Center Offers Disaster Information, Assistance for Tornado Survivors

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced the opening of a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) in Washington to make it easier for people affected by the Nov. 17 tornadoes to access disaster-related relief services and information. The MARC will bring together representatives from more than 20 local and state agencies in one location.

"The MARC will be a one-stop shop for people affected by the deadly tornadoes to connect with the services and information that are available to them," Governor Quinn said. "While the recovery will be long and hard, we will continue to work around the clock to ensure that every community can rebuild."

Anyone affected by the Nov. 17 tornadoes is encouraged to visit the MARC at Five Points Washington, 360 N. Wilmor Road in Washington from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Sat., Nov. 23 through Tues., Nov. 26. Proof of address is requested.

State agencies offering assistance Saturday through Tuesday at the Washington MARC include the departments on Aging and Human Services. The Department of Insurance will offer help with insurance issues at the MARC on Monday and Tuesday. The Secretary of State's Drivers Services Mobile Unit will be at the site on Monday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The American Red Cross will provide client casework, information and referrals. More than 20 local disaster relief agencies will also be there to provide assistance and give people much needed information about their recovery process. Additionally, there will be bulk distribution of a variety of items.

After less than one day of documenting tornado damage in four tornado-affected areas of Illinois, damage assessment teams from IEMA, FEMA, the SBA and local officials have already surveyed more than 400 homes, including 281 homes that were destroyed, 58 that suffered major damage and 120 that also were damaged. The teams will work throughout the weekend and into next week until complete.

Governor Quinn has declared 15 counties state disaster areas following a severe storm system that generated at least 25 confirmed tornadoes, including two EF4 tornadoes. Counties included in the declaration are Champaign, Douglas, Fayette, Grundy, Jasper, LaSalle, Massac, Pope, Tazewell, Vermilion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, Will and Woodford counties.

The state disaster declaration makes available a wide variety of state resources that can help affected communities respond and recover from the storms. The state of Illinois has personnel and assets that can be mobilized to help local government officials with disaster recovery, including such things as trucks, heavy equipment to remove debris, communications equipment and assistance with security and other public safety issues.

For more information about disaster recovery resources go to www.ready.illinois.gov.

Simon surveys storm recovery in Gifford, Brookport

Urges Illinois residents to make donations to support recovery

GIFFORD - Nov. 22, 2013. Less than a week before Thanksgiving, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today surveyed storm damage in the towns of Gifford and Brookport and urged Illinois residents to donate to recovery efforts. A total of 15 Illinois counties have been declared disaster areas by the Governor in the aftermath of Sunday's tornadoes.

"The work to rebuild these communities is just beginning," said Simon, who chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. "As we get ready to celebrate the holidays, I urge people to honor the spirit of the season by reaching into their pockets to help support ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts."

Officials from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began preliminary assessments Thursday that will enable towns to apply for federal disaster aid. Earlier this week, Simon participated in the Help on the Homefront Telethon, which raised more than $786,000 for the American Red Cross, and fund raising efforts are ongoing.

More than 22,000 meals have been provided by the Red Cross, which deployed 21 emergency response trucks from around the country and operated nine overnight shelters until residents could find alternative housing, said Kelly Formoso, manager of the Champaign office of the Red Cross.

The National Weather Service reports that 24 tornadoes swept across Illinois on Sunday, killing six people, injuring 180 residents and devastating rural communities. The Governor expects the total  number of homes damaged and destroyed to exceed 1,500. However, residents in the areas affected are beginning to see signs of recovery. Power has been restored in several areas, and schools are open.

In order to donate to the American Red Cross, click here or visit www.redcross.org. Donations designated for "Illinois tornadoes and storms" will remain local.

Washington, D.C. - On Monday, November 25^th, Congressman Dave Loebsack will be presented with the Distinguished Service Award from Rock Island Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). Congressman Loebsack was nominated and received this award for his work to support the Rock Island Arsenal as well as the individual soldier. Loebsack is the only member from the Iowa delegation who serves on the House Armed Services Committee. He sits on both the Military Personnel and Readiness subcommittees. He is also the co-chair of the House Depot, Arsenal, Ammunition Plant, and Industrial Facilities Caucus, as well as Army National Guard Vice Chair of the National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus. Jeff Carr, President of the local AUSA will present the award to the Congressman.

Presentation of AUSA Distinguished Service Award

Quad Cities Visitors Center

102 Harrison Street

(use southeast entrance)

Davenport

10:00am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has decided to enforce guidance on wastewater treatment as if it were a binding rule without going through the proper rulemaking process for all areas of the country except for the 8^th Circuit, where it lost a court case.  Earlier, the EPA confirmed it was enforcing the new requirement in correspondence with Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit invalidated the EPA's action, deciding that EPA changed its policy without notice and comment, as required by law.  Now, the EPA says it will implement that decision only in the 8^th Circuit.  The agency will continue to enforce guidance on wastewater treatment as if it were a formal rule, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, in the rest of the country.

Sen. Grassley and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, have been critical of the EPA's action.  They made the following comments on the latest decision from the EPA.

Grassley comment:  "The EPA tried to violate basic rule-making procedures and got caught.  Now, the agency is enforcing the violation everywhere except for the court circuit where it lost its case.  This isn't the way to conduct agency business.  The rules are in place for good reason.  They're meant to keep the public involved and informed of major decision-making and hold agencies accountability for their decisions.  The EPA should have followed the letter of the law."

Vitter comment:  "The EPA is trying to sneak in a burdensome, new water treatment regulation despite the Courts ruling against them. They need to unambiguously and fairly apply the invalidation of this illegal water treatment regulation on a national level."