For Release: Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO URGES PRESIDENT BUSH TO DECLARE ILLINOIS COUNTIES A FEDERAL DISASTER AREA

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today urged President Bush to expedite Governor Blagojevich’s request that Alexander, Franklin, Jackson, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Union, Williamson and seven other Illinois counties be declared a federal disaster area. The counties endured heavy rains and flooding the week of March 16.

“I have been waiting for the Governor’s announcement so we could work to speed this process at the federal level,” said Costello. “Other states have already received federal assistance, and a federal disaster declaration would greatly aid our recovery efforts, as residents and local governments have been dealing with the effects of the storms for weeks.”

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