The US Small Business Administration has approved Illinois’ request to help victims of severe storms and flooding in Iroquois and Christian counties.  

Gov. Bruce Rauner is appealing the federal government's decision to deny funding to help Illinois residents, businesses and local governments pay for damage caused by December and January floods. Counties impacted by the flooding in December and January include Vermilion and Moultrie.

The state of Illinois was told Thurday that its requests for both individual assistance and public assistance were denied - after flooding impacted 21 counties in late December and January.  State IEMA Director James Joseph blames the federal government's population-based threshold for determining assistance.

The Congressmen say the bill seeking to change the federal disaster aid formula would help downstate towns the size of Gifford and Washington, who were denied government assistance by FEMA.