Illinois offers to host hurricane victims

Bruce Rauner
Gov. Bruce Rauner has offered Illinois at a host site for victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)

By WJBC Staff

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner would like to see Illinois serve as a host state for hurricane victims from Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico back in September, and recovery has been slow. Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director James Joseph said that’s why they are asking the federal government to consider Illinois as a host state for Puerto Ricans who have lost everything.

“This would be until individuals can have the opportunity to have their homes rebuilt,” Joseph said. “This gives them the ability to have some kind of transitional time where they are away from the island where they can have some normalcy to life again, possibly even enrolling their children in school or whatever may need to occur.”

Joseph added all costs will be picked up by the federal government.

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