The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied a request for aid to local governments in Illinois after deadly tornadoes swept the state in November.
FEMA sent a letter on Thursday to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency saying that damage after the storms wasn't severe enough to warrant federal help. The storms left at least 7 people dead statewide and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses.
Gov. Pat Quinn says the state will appeal the decision. He says he's ``disappointed'' in FEMA's decision, which affects Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Massac, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Wayne and Woodford counties. The state is seeking to recover about $6 million in costs to local governments in the nine affected counties.
The federal government has previously approved millions of dollars in aid for residents and businesses.
