HR1552

LRB095 22672 GRL 53080 r






1

HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, Record-breaking rainfall from September 12, 2008 
3
to September 14, 2008 caused widespread property damage to 
4
homeowners and owners of commercial and industrial property 
5
throughout Illinois, including the greater Chicago area; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, Current federal law requires the State of 
7
Illinois' designated coordinator of emergency support 
8
services, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), to 
9
complete a preliminary damage assessment before an application 
10
can be made to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
11
to have affected Illinois counties declared federal disaster 
12
areas; and

 
13
    WHEREAS, The declaration by FEMA that an affected area is a 
14
federal disaster area is a necessary triggering event that must 
15
take place if the individuals and businesses that have suffered 
16
flooding damage are to be eligible for federal disaster 
17
assistance; and

 
18
    WHEREAS, The preliminary damage assessment has been 
19
completed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and a 
20
letter was sent by Governor Rod Blagojevich relaying the 
21
findings of that assessment and asking the President of the 
22
United States to declare the damaged counties as federal 
 


 






HR1552
- 2 -
LRB095 22672 GRL 53080 r




1
disaster areas on September 24, 2008; and

 
2
    WHEREAS, As damage repairs continue at the expense of those 
3
persons affected by loss, it becomes more difficult for 
4
potential federal aid to "make whole" those individuals who 
5
have suffered a loss; therefore, be it

 
6
    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
7
NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
8
urge the President of the United States to declare the affected 
9
Illinois counties as federal disaster areas; and be it further

 
10
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
11
presented to the President of the United States.