Statement by the Press Secretary on Federal Disaster Assistance for Illinois

The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Illinois and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by record snow during the period of November 30 to December 1, 2006.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to the State and eligible local governments in the counties of Adams, Boone, Brown, Bureau, DeKalb, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Menard, Ogle, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Scott, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, and Winnebago.

Assistance is available to State and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including snow removal, that were undertaken to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety over a continuous 48-hour period during or approximate to the incident period.

R. David Paulison, Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Michael H. Smith as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.