US Department of Labor announces $2 million to assist storm recovery in Illinois

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $2 million National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in 40 counties throughout Illinois between April 16 and May 5.

"Severe spring storms and flooding have inflicted significant damage on public infrastructure across Illinois," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. "Today's grant will begin the important work of cleaning up the widespread damage caused by violent winds and flooding."

Awarded to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, these funds will be used to create approximately 110 temporary jobs to assist with the recovery efforts.

As of June 21, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared as eligible for FEMA's public assistance program the Illinois counties of Adams, Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Crawford, DuPage, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Kendall, Knox, La Salle, Lake, Lawrence, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Ogle, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Will and Woodford. Additional counties may be included at a later date. More information on designated disaster areas in Illinois is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Of the $2 million announced today, $708,444 will be released initially. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for assistance.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.