Illinois FEMA Appeal to Focus on Frigid Weather

Gov. Pat Quinn says his appeal over denied federal disaster aid will focus on clean-up difficulties during the recent frigid temperatures.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Thursday Illinois’ request for $6.1 million in assistance to local governments recovering from deadly tornadoes in November.

Quinn told reporters Friday that this week’s adverse weather makes it “very difficult to recover completely for the governments given all of the challenges they have right now.”

FEMA ruled the infrastructure damage was not severe enough to warrant federal help.

Quinn says in Washington, Ill., the government is overseeing the demolition of more than 1,000 homes.

The Democrat added that many recovering communities were hit by floods last spring, tornadoes in the fall and now the harsh winter weather