FEMA sent a letter on Thursday to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency saying that damage after the storms wasn't severe enough to warrant federal help. The storms left at least 7 people dead statewide and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses.
Gov. Pat Quinn says the state will appeal the decision. He says he's "disappointed" in FEMA's decision, which affects Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Massac, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Wayne and Woodford counties. The state is seeking to recover about $6 million in costs to local governments in the nine affected counties.
The federal government has previously approved millions of dollars in aid for residents and businesses.
The storms left at least seven people dead across Illinois and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
