Trump declares Illinois a Major Disaster Area
President Donald Trump declared the State of Illinois a “major disaster” area. The designation qualifies Illinois for Federal funding support to deal with the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic. The designation was made despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s partisan political pot-shots against Trump. At nearly every press conference Pritzker, a billionaire who bought his election in November 2018, has joined with partisan Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to blame Trump for their government failings
By Ray Hanania
After more than three weeks of being personally attacked by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, President Donald Trump gave Illinois a special designation that would guarantee it emergency Federal funding support in the wake of the Coronavirus COVID-10 Pandemic.
Since the outbreak began. Illinois has recorded 2,538 cases of coronavirus and confirmed 26 deaths and the numbers continue to grow. The attacks against Trump were intended to cast blame on the Trump administration for Pritzker’s and Lightfoot’s failings to effectively deal with the outbreak.
Pritzker and Lightfoot falsely blamed Trump for the lack of testing and also for the lack of facemarks and the protective gear. But Trump responded last week that he did not need to take action to compel businesses to produce face masks and medical supplies because they were already trying to produce the maximum amount of product possible.
Basically, a Presidential order would have no impact on increasing the availability of face masks, and other important medical supplies.
As the epidemic spreads throughout Illinois as a result of Pritzker and Lightfoot’s failings, Lightfoot fear mongered the issue on Thursday night issuing an Emergency Alert that was broadcast on television not only in Chicago but throughout Northern Illinois TV stations in which she declared that parks and beaches would be closed.
Lightfoot issued the order because many Chicago residents, weary of being cloistered in their homes and without work, have ventured to the outdoors for relief.
Despite the disrespect and petty personal attacks, Trump issued the Major Disaster designation after Illinois finally completed the request to the Federal Government as required by FEMA.
Here is President Trump’s emergency declaration regarding Illinois, issued despite the pettiness and partisan politics of Gov. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lightfoot.
Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Illinois and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020 and continuing.
The President’s action makes Federal funding available for Crisis Counseling for affected individuals in all areas in the State of Illinois.
Federal funding is also available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, for all areas in the State of Illinois impacted by COVID-19.
Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Steven W. Johnson as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further assessments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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