COSTELLO PRESSES WHITE HOUSE ON DECLARING ILLINOIS COUNTIES A FEDERAL DISASTER AREA

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[During a visit this week to the White House to discuss the federal budget, U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) again urged President Obama to quickly approve Governor Quinn's request that Alexander, Franklin, Jackson, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Williamson and seven other Illinois counties receive federal disaster assistance. The counties have been impacted by recent flooding in the region.

"Governor Quinn's request for federal assistance came more than a week ago, and we need a federal disaster declaration now from the President to ensure that our local communities are equipped with the necessary resources to recover from the effects of major flooding," said Costello. "I will continue to urge the President to approve this request as quickly as possible."