Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is seeking federal aid for residents and businesses in four counties recovering from a rare December tornado outbreak.
Rauner said Friday he's asked the U.S. Small Business Administration for a disaster declaration that would open up low-interest loans for eligible residents and businesses in Christian, Macon, Montgomery and Sangamon counties.
The governor submitted his request after state emergency management officials found that 33 homes and one business sustained major damage in central Illinois' Christian County.
The county seat of Taylorville and neighboring Hewittville were hardest-hit by the Dec. 1 storms that unleashed at least 23 tornadoes in Illinois.
The National Weather Service says an EF-3 tornado with winds up to 155 mph caused more than $4 million residential and commercial losses in Christian County.
