USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a disaster declaration for Christian, Hancock, McDonough, Sangamon, and Washington Counties due to losses caused by a derecho and tornadoes that took place, June 29th through June 30th.  Counties contiguous to Christian, Hancock, McDonough, Sangamon, and Washington counties are also eligible for the same assistance including, Macon, Macoupin, Montgomery, and Shelby Counties. 

Jerry Costello II, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director thanked Governor JB Pritzker for working with him and the USDA.  He encourages affected producers in declared counties to contact their local USDA Service Center to confirm eligibility.  A Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to producers recovering from natural disasters. 

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans.  Those eligible should contact their local USDA Service Center to ask questions or file a Notice of Loss.