Tornado victims remembered, survivors gather together

KIRKLAND, Ill. (WLS) -- The first Sunday after the tornadoes struck two small Illinois towns, people are gathering together at nearby churches to remember the victims.

At Kirkland Methodist Church, attendees wiped tours away as the pastor preached and at nearby Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, they gathered for Mass.

"We could have lost so many family members. My grandchild came and lit some candles. And I've been telling people pray and pray. Of course, the other little town, I went yesterday. We saw that. We lucked out. Rochelle really lucked out," Juanita Rodriguez said.

"When we truly love our neighbors, we want to be there to support people and that's when coming together as one body, one community, one state. We care for each other," Janet Taylor, Kirkland resident, said.

"You've gone through so much of life together," Lorene Finkle said. "When they hurt, you hurt. You feel it."