Blagojevich approves loan program to fight ash borers

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich approved a loan program to help northern Illinois towns reforest areas hit by the tree-killing emerald ash borer.

The bill provides loans for local governments to replant trees on public lands infested by the small metallic-green beetle.

But the governor still needs to receive funding for the program. In a statement, he says he'll request a $2 million allocation in a capital spending bill.

Communities in an 18-county area that've had their ash wood quarantined to prevent the beetle's spread are eligible for the loans.

The first emerald ash borer was found in Illinois in 2006.