Governor of Illinois J. B. Pritzker declares a natural disaster after tornadoes and storms cause damage

Governor of Illinois J. B. Pritzker issued a disaster declaration on Saturday to allow immediate relief and public safety support to help those affected by Friday’s effects devastating tornadoes and storms.

Those areas include Boone, Crawford, DuPage, Marion and Sangamon counties.

The Illinois Pritzker directed the Emergency Management Agency to coordinate the statewide response.

“The devastating storms that swept through our state last night turned communities upside down and resulted in trauma and loss of life,” Pritzker said in a statement. “In response, I am declaring a state of emergency to provide all necessary assistance to our communities immediately. I am in close contact with the Illinois State Emergency Management Agency and local partners across the state to ensure that all possible resources are provided to those affected or displaced. I am deeply grateful to the first responders and emergency officials who worked through the night and will continue to work tirelessly in the days and weeks ahead to help those affected.”

Some of the areas include a fatal roof collapse on Apollo Theater in Belviderein Crawford County, where three people died, and in Boone County and Crawford County, where about 30 buildings were damaged, including Robinson Airport, and in Sangamon and Marion counties.

In DuPage County, Batavia and the village of Addison were damaged.

Several structures were damaged in the village of Addison, according to a news release from Pritzker’s office.

Prtytsker’s office says the disaster declaration will support local governments as they respond to damage and begin recovery operations.