FEMA has denied the state's appeal for federal assistance to help local governments in Vermilion, Moultrie and 15 other counties that suffered storm damage in December and January.

The state of Illinois was told Thurday that its requests for both individual assistance and public assistance were denied - after flooding impacted 21 counties in late December and January.  State IEMA Director James Joseph blames the federal government's population-based threshold for determining assistance.

Shortly after declaring 12 Illinois counties state disaster areas, Gov. Bruce Rauner surveyed the damage first hand, making several stops in Central and Southern Illinois.  He made his final stop in Villa Grove on Sunday, calling the state disaster declaration a 'first step' in seeking federal help.

Authorities near one levee in far southwestern Illinois are being told to move to higher ground.  The county board in Alexander County issued an emergency evacuation Friday.  Meanwhile, Governor Bruce Rauner ordered the Illinois National Guard to help with the recovery effort.   

Governor Bruce Rauner has told a group of state workers that a partial shutdown of Illinois government will be worth it if it brings change.  Meanwhile, Democrats will consider a temporary budget to fund essential state services for a month.