Lawmakers seek disaster declaration in 16 counties

Illinois’ congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month’s flooding.

The letter was sent on Tuesday to support a similar request by Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday. Quinn cited reports from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency of more than 800 flood-damaged homes in the 16 counties, including 14 homes that were destroyed and 202 with major damage.

The additional counties are Bureau, Crawford, Henderson, Knox, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Warren and Woodford.

A disaster declaration allows people and businesses to apply for federal loans and reimbursements to help pay for storm and flood damage repairs.

Obama already has declared 11 other Illinois counties as federal disaster areas.