Governor Issues Disaster Proclamation

Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation to unlock immediate assistance and provide public safety support for communities across Illinois impacted by Friday night’s tornadoes and severe weather. The disaster proclamation includes Boone, Crawford, DuPage, Marion, and Sangamon Counties. The Governor is also directing the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to coordinate a robust, statewide response and recovery effort, which includes multiple state agencies, public safety entities, and non-governmental organizations.

The disaster proclamation, effective immediately, will support local government response and recovery operations wherever necessary. While response efforts are underway, Illinoisians are encouraged to continue following local authorities to stay up to date with the latest conditions in their communities.

Areas impacted by the severe weather include:

• Boone County, where high winds clocked in at 90 m.p.h., causing a partial collapse at the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere resulting in one fatality.
• Crawford County, where high winds led to several structures collapsing, resulting in three fatalities.
• In both Boone and Crawford County, approximately 30 structures were damaged, including the Robinson Airport.
• Sangamon County reported a tornado touchdown, causing damage to multiple structures in Sherman, Riverton, and Dawson.
• In Marion County, approximately a dozen homes and businesses were damaged and in the Village of Addison in DuPage County, multiple structures were damaged.
• IEMA is in close contact with the National Weather Service, which has officers out assessing damages and making determinations on tornado strength and activity statewide.

The disaster proclamation may be updated to include additional counties as damage assessments continue.