Harrisburg and other southern Illinois communities affected by a deadly tornado in February are getting up to $13 million in state and Small Business Administration aid.
Gov. Pat Quinn's office announced Monday that the help includes reimbursements to local governments for some of their disaster-related expenses and road improvements. The aid also involves grants for home repairs and low-interest loans to storm-affected businesses.
Seven people were killed by the twister that tore through Harrisburg on Feb. 29.
Since then, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied the state's request for help from U.S. taxpayers in the recovery effort.
Quinn says recovery from the tornado won't happen overnight but the assistance package detailed Monday will help those hurt by the storm to rebuild their lives.
