Rep. Davis Issues Statement After President Trump Approved Illinois Request for Federal Assistance

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Illinois, issued the following statement after President Trump approved the Illinois' request for federal assistance:

Public assistance was granted for 27 counties, including four counties in the 13th District, and the agency announced it was still considering individual assistance and declaration for additional Illinois counties.

Davis said:

"I saw the impact flooding and storms have had in Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, and Greene counties and I'm very thankful FEMA has approved disaster assistance to help these communities recover.

"I've been working to create greater fairness for Illinois communities within the FEMA disaster declaration process and I'm hopeful that FEMA has taken my bill, which requires they put more weight on the localized impact of the damage, into consideration as they made this declaration.

"I believe one of the most basic functions of the federal government is to help communities recover after a disaster occurs and Illinois communities pay into the disaster fund and it should be there when they need it."

Last October, Davis' bill, the Disaster Declaration Improvement Act, which requires FEMA to place greater consideration on the severe localized impact of damage following a disaster, was signed into law.

Davis and the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter supporting the request for assistance. Disaster assistance was approved for the following counties: Adams, Alexander, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Greene, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Jersey, Knox, Madison, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Pike, Randolph, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, St. Clair, Stephenson, Union, and Whiteside.