Would Help Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties

CHICAGO - August 26, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today requested federal assistance to help people, businesses and local governments in Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties recover from flash flooding in late July. In a letter to President Barack Obama, Governor Quinn requested federal assistance to help local governments in the three counties recoup 75 percent of their disaster-related expenses. Governor Quinn also requested assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help people and businesses in Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties that were affected by the 15 inches of rainfall.

"The people in Northwest Illinois have suffered through three major weather-related disasters in the past 12 months," Governor Quinn said. "With many roads washed out and hundreds of homes damaged, federal assistance is needed to help these communities quickly recover."

Earlier this week, representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) met with local government representatives in the three counties to review flood and storm-related expense information, including costs for emergency protective measures, debris removal and repair or replacement of government-owned facilities. That review determined that local government expenses related to the flooding total more than $7.5 million.

Representatives from IEMA, FEMA and the SBA also toured the area this week to assess damage to homes and businesses. Governor Quinn used information from the damage assessments to certify that Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties each had at least 25 homes or businesses that have sustained uninsured losses of 40 percent or more, as required for SBA assistance.

If Governor Quinn's request is approved, low-interest loans would be available to people and businesses in Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties, as well as adjacent Carroll County.

On August 10, Governor Quinn declared the three counties state disaster areas and pledged the state's commitment to helping the area recover.

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New Laws Will Reduce Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water, 
Allow Recycled Water to be Used for Non-Consumption Purposes

CHICAGO - August 24, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed three bills to improve Illinois environment and water systems. The Governor signed House Bills 2056 and 3090 to improve and enhance pharmaceutical collection and disposal programs, as well as House Bill 248, to allow recycled, treated wastewater to be used for non-consumption purposes, such as watering golf courses. 

"Pure and plentiful drinking water is every Illinois citizen's right," Governor Quinn said. "These bills will help Illinois conserve water, protect the safety of our drinking water supplies and ensure that unused medications are disposed of properly."

Large-scale, non-consumption irrigation projects - such as the maintenance of parks and golf courses - use enormous quantities of drinking-quality water. House Bill 248, sponsored by Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) and Sen. Susan Garrett, (D-Lake Forest), allows the North Shore Sanitary District to supply sustainable, environmentally-friendly treated wastewater to identified partners. The recycled wastewater will save large volumes of treated drinking water.

House Bill 2056, sponsored by Rep. Joann Osmond (R-Antioch) and Sen. Suzi Schmidt (R-Lake Villa), creates a pharmaceutical collection and disposal program to ensure safe disposal of excess prescription medication. The legislation began as an initiative of students from Pontiac and Antioch High Schools, both of which have been active in efforts to collect and properly dispose of unused pharmaceuticals.  The program is designed as a collaborative effort between communities, local pharmacies, police departments, hospitals, city officials and students to educate the public about the misuse and abuse of pharmaceuticals, as well as discarded pharmaceuticals' impact on the environment. Numerous studies have shown that residue from many pharmaceuticals can be found in both drinking water sources and in finished drinking water.

House Bill 3090, sponsored by Rep. Luis Arroyo, (D-Chicago) and Sen. William Delgado (D-Chicago), allows a city, village, or municipality to authorize the use of its city hall or police department to display containers suitable for use as a receptacles for used, expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals.

"Every year families are left with excess prescription drugs that could be harmful if they are accessible to children who may accidently swallow them or youths who may use the drugs to get high," Senator Delgado, Chairman of the Senate Public Health Committee said. "This legislation will allow for additional locations where people can safely dispose of prescription drugs that have expired or are not needed. This initiative addresses a vital public health and safety issue."

House Bill 248 is effective immediately. House Bills 2056 and 3090 take effect Jan. 1.

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Briefed by city and county officials on damage and recovery efforts

Dubuque, IA -Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) toured Dubuque and Jackson Counties to see flood damage these areas sustained from severe storms that occurred July 27-29, 2011. 

Rep. Braley met with Dubuque City and County officials as he visited areas damaged by the floods last month. He received an update on the damage that occurred to city infrastructure including several bridges and the wastewater treatment facility in Dubuque.  Additionally, he toured flood damage at the Swiss Valley Park & Campground and received an update on flood recovery efforts by local officials who are working on public infrastructure and potential buyouts of private residences. In Jackson County, Rep. Braley was briefed by county officials and toured county roads and bridges that sustained damage during the recent floods.

"As people in these communities continue rebuilding from these storms, I encourage them to contact my office for any help they may need," said Rep. Braley. "I know navigating through government red tape during a time of recovery is the last thing people want to worry about. I'm here to make sure that Iowans get the help they need."

Earlier this month, Rep. Braley led an Iowa House delegation letter to President Obama urging him to support Gov. Branstad's request to declare Dubuque and Jackson counties major disaster areas as a result of the severe storms and flooding that took place in these counties.

"Dubuque and Jackson suffered serious damage from the storms that occurred last month. These storms severely damaged Iowa schools, hospitals, fire stations and other infrastructure critical to these communities," said Rep. Braley. "I strongly urge President Obama to declare these counties disaster areas so they are eligible for the support they need in order to rebuild as quickly as possible."

As these communities begin to recover and rebuild, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has made low-interest disaster loans available to residents and business owners impacted by these storms and flooding. Disaster loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans of up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, and businesses and non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged property or other business assets.

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Washington, DC - Tomorrow, Rep. Bruce Braley will visit Dubuque and Jackson Counties to tour flood damage that occurred from severe storms on July 27-29, 2011.

Rep. Braley will meet with Jackson County officials and tour county roads and bridges that sustained damage during the recent flooding. Later in the afternoon, Rep. Braley will tour the City of Dubuque and meet with Dubuque officials to see flood damage across the city and throughout Dubuque County. In addition to touring the damage, Rep. Braley will receive an update on flood recovery efforts by local officials who are working on public infrastructure and potential buyouts of private residences.

***TOMORROW***

WHAT: Rep. Braley to meet with Jackson County officials to tour county roads and bridges that sustained damage during the recent flooding.

WHEN: FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 12:00-12:45 PM CDT

WHERE: Kalmes Restaurant, 100 N. Main Street, St. Donatus, IA 52071

There will be a press avail at 12:00 PM CDT.  Media is encouraged to attend the tour with Rep. Braley and Jackson County officials after the press avail.   

WHAT: Rep. Braley to meet with Dubuque officials to tour flood damage and receive an update on recovery efforts.

WHEN: FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1:45-2:30 PM CDT

WHERE: Swiss Valley Nature Preserve, 13606 Swiss Valley Road, Dubuque, IA 52003

There will be a press avail at 1:45 PM CDT. Media is encouraged to attend the tour with Rep. Braley and Dubuque officials after the press avail.