Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner is appealing the federal government's decision to deny funding to help residents, businesses and local governments pay for damages following winter floods.
Rauner asked for an additional $1.8 million to help cover the cost of December and January flood damage in 21 central and southern counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the state's assistance requests on Feb. 26.
Authorities say there was about $16.8-million in flood damage. But the federal government's population-based damage threshold is $18.1 million.
Rauner says it would be nearly impossible for local communities to recover from flood damage without federal assistance.
The Rauner administration says if the appeal is successful, local governments could apply to have up to 75 percent of their disaster-related expenses reimbursed.
