Governor declares state of emergency in wake of shooting

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich declared a state of emergency in the aftermath of Thursday's shootings at Northern Illinois University, making disaster relief funds available to local units of government.

The funds reimburse governments for their extraordinary expenses related to the NIU response. The declaration also enables the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to provide assistance to local units of government.

The state's Emergency Operation Center also was activated in response to the shooting.

State officials mobilized the center in case any of the DeKalb area or NIU officials needed help coordinating resources. Calls to the governor's press office were not immediately returned Thursday regarding whether there'd been any actual requests for help.

The command center was last activated Tuesday to help Southern Illinois counties with relief from ice storm and power outage damages.

The center opened in 2005 and houses the state's terrorism and natural disaster nerve center. The cost for the center and technology used was $19 million.

Illinois State Police are also in DeKalb to help assist local law enforcement.