Aaron Schock

Contact: Dave Natonski 202.225.6201

Washington, Jul 6, 2010 - Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) issued the following statement after the Small Business Administration granted a disaster declaration for LaSalle County, Livingston County and Peoria County as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on June 5:

“I am grateful the SBA granted our request for a disaster declaration for the areas hit hard by these storms,” said Schock.  “The devastation I saw first-hand in Elmwood the day after the storm warranted such a declaration and I’m pleased the businesses there will get the relief they need.”

Schock and his district office have been working with Elmwood Mayor John Hulslander, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, other local officials and residents of Elmwood since the morning after the storm.  Schock and his staff have been to Elmwood six times since the storm has hit and have conducted numerous meetings to discuss the response to the storm.  Schock also worked with Governor Quinn to request the disaster declaration from the SBA and had a telephone conversation with SBA Administrator Karen Mills earlier this week.  

Applications for physical damage are available through September 7 and for economic injury, applications are available through April 6, 2011.  

Going forward, Schock and his staff are working with Elmwood residents to develop a comprehensive redevelopment plan to get Elmwood businesses back on track.