[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 123 (Monday, July 23, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS FLOODING

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, last July, heavy rain in Illinois caused 
severe flooding that led the Governor to declare disaster areas in 
Lake, McHenry, Kane, and Cook Counties. Thousands of buildings, 
including homes, businesses, and schools, were damaged by floodwaters. 
Thankfully, there were no fatalities as a result of this historic 
flooding.
  Lake County was one of the areas most impacted by the flooding. When 
I visited two towns in this area--Libertyville and Gurnee--I saw street 
after street of flood damage to homes and businesses. It was 
heartbreaking.
  I spoke with residents who were concerned about being able to recover 
from the flood and resulting damages and who voiced the need to find 
long-term solutions that will mitigate the impact of future flood 
events.
  One year later, I am still awed by the dedication of the local first 
responders and county officials. State and local employees and 
volunteers came out to help at every level, from county emergency 
management agencies to the American Red Cross. Representatives from the 
Illinois Emergency Management Agency worked closely with local 
officials to make sure communities had the resources needed to protect 
critical infrastructure and clean up when the water began to recede.
  People from all around the region pitched in to help their neighbors 
and even strangers protect property and get back on their feet.
  It has been challenging for Illinois to receive Federal aid after a 
disaster occurs. I led the Illinois delegation in supporting the 
Governor's request for a Federal disaster declaration for the four 
impacted counties, but unfortunately, the State did not receive aid 
after the flooding last July.
  Currently, FEMA considers State population when reviewing States' 
requests for Federal assistance following a disaster. This puts highly 
populous States like Illinois at a disadvantage, relying on the premise 
that they can absorb more recovery costs after a disaster. Despite 
that, my colleagues in Congress and I will always stand ready to do 
whatever we can to provide Federal assistance to assist Illinois 
communities.
  I introduced a bill to fix FEMA's disaster declaration formula--the 
Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Acts--and I will continue to 
push this bill to try and help States, both small and large, in times 
of need. Families in Illinois deserve a fair and transparent disaster 
declaration process that allows them to access Federal resources when 
they are needed most.
  I want to thank everyone who was engaged in the response and 
mitigation efforts, and all those who were part of the recovery efforts 
since last July. Illinoisans always come together and rebuild, as we 
have done, and we are stronger for it.

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