Gov Quinn Comments of FEMA's Rejection of Funds for Tornado Damaged Harrisburg

SPRINGFIELD - March 12, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement regarding the state’s efforts to secure federal assistance for people affected by the Feb. 29 tornado.


“Today I spoke with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and informed her that we intend to appeal FEMA’s denial of our request for much-needed individual assistance for the people of Southern Illinois. I urged Secretary Napolitano to reconsider FEMA's decision. We are doing everything possible at the state level to help these devastated communities, but some of the assistance that our residents need to begin rebuilding their lives is only available through a federal disaster declaration.



“I met with local officials, spent time with residents and saw firsthand the devastation and damage caused by the tornado in Southern Illinois. FEMA underestimated the impact this deadly tornado had on small towns like Harrisburg and Ridgway. We have already begun work on our appeal of this decision in order to secure federal assistance.



“I am grateful to Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Mark Kirk and the Illinois Congressional Delegation for their vigorous support of our efforts to bring assistance to the people whose lives were ripped apart by the Feb. 29 tornado. We are hopeful our joint efforts will help FEMA understand that a full recovery from this disaster cannot happen without their support.”



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Sen Kirk's Reaction to State of the Union

Statement from Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) on State of the Union Address

"The Address reflected an important call for civility after the Arizona shootings. Senator Durbin and I sat together as patriots, not partisans.

The chief threat to our economy is runaway federal spending and debt. The American people elected a new Congress with a mandate to cut spending, reduce debt and keep taxes low. Unfortunately, I heard more ways to spend tax dollars than ways to cut the budget. Republicans should support the President's efforts to consolidate the federal government and his call for ending congressional earmarks.

Congress must soon answer the President's request to borrow more money. We should say no- unless legislation is coupled with new anti-spending reforms that would make any future additions to our debt increasingly impossible. I am also eager to join in the Administration's discussion towards a simplified tax code and ending regulations that hamper economic growth."

Senators Durbin and Kirk to sit together at State of Union Address

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In the spirit of bipartisanship, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that they will sit side-by-side at the President’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 25. Traditionally, Members of Congress are split by party affiliation with Democrats and Republicans sitting on opposite sides of the center aisle in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber.



“Traditions that divide us were made to be broken,” said Durbin. “As we begin to heal after the tragedy in Arizona, it’s important to for our nation's leaders to show unity in the face of such a divisive act. But the real test of bipartisanship will begin the next day, when we go back to work to debate some of the most important issues of our time.”



“Sitting together as Americans rather than partisans is a helpful example of respect and cooperation following the tragedy in Arizona,” said Kirk.



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