Gov. George Ryan on Monday declared the entire state a disaster area because of the cumulative effects of last month’s heavy snowstorms, a move aimed at helping the state as well as counties and municipalities qualify for federal aid to cover costs of clearing roadways.
Ryan said the Chicago area had an exceptionally heavy snowfall in December and experienced bone-chilling temperatures. Multiple roads were shut down as snow made traveling hazardous or impossible. Schools and businesses throughout the state also were forced to close on some days.
“These winter storms caused extensive road closures, jeopardized the health and safety of the public and exhausted the snow removal resources in some parts of the state,” Ryan said. “This declaration paves the way for Illinois to request a federal snow emergency declaration for counties that have experienced record or near-record snowfall.”
“We are certainly pleased with the governor’s declaration today, and we hope it is the first step toward getting some assistance with the cost of last month’s snows,” said Scott Alwin, a spokesman for the city’s Budget Department. “Looking at the region as a whole, Cook County was especially hard hit.”
Chicago officials already have asked the state to forward a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help defray the $34.7 million cost of snow removal throughout the city and at Chicago’s three airports following December’s storms.
FEMA can provide up to 75 percent of eligible costs for a defined period, up to $5 million, officials said. The city, which hopes to receive up to $10 million, is seeking a waiver of the cap.
Sources said that the Daley administration is hoping the city’s request will be considered before President Clinton leaves office later this month.
From Nov. 16 through Jan. 3, the state spent $32.3 million fighting the snow and ice, state officials said. Last winter the state spent $31 million for the entire winter season.
The state’s use of salt to thaw ice on roads also has more than tripled this season. The state used 363,000 tons of salt from Nov. 16 through Jan. 3. But the amount of salt used during the same period a year earlier totaled only 107,000 tons. For the last snow season overall, the state used only 395,00 tons.
Dick Adorjan, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation, said the cost of salt could get more expensive if demand increases. “If you have to buy on the spot market, then the cost of salt will go up,” he said.
The transportation agency’s overtime budget is also up four times from last year’s pace.
This season’s overtime has amounted to $8.7 million compared with almost $8.9 million for all of last season.
