Haine, Hoffman working to improve disaster relief in Illinois

 

From Illinois Business Journal news services

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton, and Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, are supporting legislation that would move $12 million from the Disaster Response and Recovery Fund to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for 2016 to aid with disaster recovery in Illinois.

“Recently communities throughout Illinois have seen a great deal of destruction, and the floods that have occurred due to heavy rain fall have devastated areas throughout the Metro East,” Haine said. “When this sort of thing happens, businesses close and people are put out of their homes. I want to be sure our communities have the resources they need to quickly address issues related to natural disasters.”

According to media reports, Gov. Bruce Rauner has also acknowledged that Illinois is lacking in sufficient funds to help support natural disasters.

“I am thankful the governor took action by declaring communities throughout the Metro East as disaster areas,” Hoffman said. “However, I want to take this a step further to be sure we can prevent similar destruction from happening in the future, and make sure our first responders, policemen and firefighters are equipped to handle these situations. Public safety is the priority here.”

The legislation, HB4390, was filed on Tuesday in response to major flooding in areas such as Alton, Granite City and Pontoon Beach.

Other area representatives have already signed on as co-sponsors, including Dan Beiser, D-Alton, and Jerry Costello II, D-Smithton.