Federal resources provided by disaster declaration

President Obama's decision to declare Champaign and Vermilion County and other areas affected by last month's tornadoes Federal Disaster Areas qualifies local residents for a variety of grants and low-interest loans. These include:

• Grants of up to $32,400 for disaster-related needs not covered by insurance, including replacement of property, transportation and medical care.
• Low-interest loans for homeowners of up to $200,000 to cover uninsured property losses of homes, vehicles, clothing and other personal property. Both homeowners and renters can qualify for low-interest loans of up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property like clothing, furniture, appliances and vehicles.
• Federal crisis counseling, unemployment assistance and legal aid for issues like income tax, Social Security and veterans benefits.
• Low-interest loans of up to $2 million for private businesses and not-for-profit organizations to replace or repair damaged real estate, machinery and other business assets.

To apply, call 1-800-621-3362, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or visit m.fema.gov from your tablet or smartphone. Be sure to have your Social Security number (and your spouse's if applicable) and private insurance information available. If you want disaster assistance funds sent directly to your bank account, have your account number and routing information available.

Illinois Treasurer's Office

The Illinois treasurer's office can provide low-interest disaster recovery loans to residents, business owners and farmers who are waiting on insurance settlements or other aid programs to take effect. (For example, declaring a federal disaster area, which makes residents eligible for a wider variety of loans, can take time.)

The loan must be used to pay the cost of repairs and expenses arising directly from the disaster. For more information, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the treasurer's Disaster Recovery hotline at 866-523-0641.

Illinois Department of Insurance

The Department of Insurance has a handy fact sheet about what you should do and what you should expect from your insurance company when dealing with disaster recovery. Knowing the facts is an important way to avoid missing opportunities. The fact sheet is available here.

As the fact sheet notes, one of the most important parts of the recovery process is selecting a reputable contractor. Con artists known as "storm chasers" often go door-to-door after major storms offering to repair homes. They frequently do a shoddy job or simply steal money or property. For more information about avoiding storm chasers, visit the National Storm Damage Center's website.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

Disposing of debris and waste can be a major concern after a disaster of this magnitude. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has put together a fact sheet explaining how to dispose of wreckage, complete with phone numbers of experts who can address common concerns. Read it here.

Red Cross

American Red Cross is available to help with basic needs such as personal supplies and clean up kits. Financial assistance is available on a need basis; please call (217) 446-7223 for more information.

You can donate to the Red Cross' disaster relief fund by clicking here, calling 800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 (automatic $10 donation). For more information, call the Red Cross at 217-446-7223.

Rescue Mission

The Rescue Mission has a daily hot lunch available. To register for a lunch, please call 217-446-7223. The Rescue Mission is located at 834 N. Bowman Ave., Danville.

Dear Friends,

I would like to thank everyone for their donations to our collection drive during the past week. My dad made our first collection drop-off to Gifford on Wednesday. My Danville and Champaign offices are still collecting donations.

We have a lot of work ahead of us to help families and businesses rebuild. I'm proud of all the hard work and the good will we have shown towards each other over the last week.

None of this would be possible without the great work of Gifford Mayor Dan Ackerman as well as our firefighters, police officers and response teams who have put their lives on hold to assist in Gifford recovery efforts.

To stay up to date with news in Gifford you can visit the Facebook Page: Gifford, IL Tornado Recovery. This is a great resource to stay up to date with ways to help.

For more information on state disaster relief resources, visit www.illinois.gov/ready.

If you know of any volunteer opportunities or community needs please contact my office or send me an email.

Sincerely,

Senator Michael Frerichs
52nd District – Illinois

Here is an updated list of ways you can help:

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CHAMPAIGN- State Senator Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) will be accepting donations at his district offices to benefit tornado victims. All donations will be given to the American Red Cross to distribute to residents of Champaign County and the surrounding areas.

"I'm proud to watch our community come together and lend a hand to those who need a little extra help this week," Frerichs said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us to help families and businesses rebuild."

All Gifford State Bank branches are collecting monetary donations. Those outside the immediate area who would like to donate can call 217-568-7311.

• Who: State Senator Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign)
• What: Frerichs is hosting a collection drive to benefit tornado victims. His Danville and Champaign offices will be collecting clothing, coats, blankets, non-perishable food items, bottled water, baby items, toiletries, personal hygiene products, dog food, cat food, first aid supplies, over the counter medications, garbage bags and plastic storage totes.
• When: November 19 to December 13; donations will be accepted Monday through Friday.
• Where: Danville district office: 28 W. North Street, 1st Floor, Danville, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.; Champaign Office: 45 E. University St., Suite 206, Champaign, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

GIFFORD- State Senator Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) and Governor Pat Quinn surveyed damages in Gifford and the surrounding areas today.  This morning, Governor Quinn declared seven counties in Illinois disaster areas, including Champaign County.  
 
Frerichs and Quinn assessed damages in the area and helped make sure families are receiving the assistance and resources they need.
 
“There is extensive damage in the area; however, we should count our blessings that no one was killed and only a few people were injured,” said Frerichs.  “We have a lot of work ahead of us to help these families and businesses rebuild.”
 
All Gifford State Bank locations are accepting monetary donations for the Gifford Tornado Relief Fund. There will be an informational meeting at 5 p.m. tonight at Gordyville (Route 136 E / Gifford) for the residents of Gifford.  
 
“I would all like to thank all of the dedicated firefighters, police officers and response crews who traveled to the area and worked through the night, Frerichs said. “This is another great example of our community coming together to help each other through tough times.”