It’s more important for me to get back to the district and do what I can to help.  It’s going to take a while to clean up after this storm.  If the best thing I can do is make phone calls and make sure that state aid is going where it needs to go, that’s what I’ll do.  If the best thing I can do is put on a pair of gloves and help move debris, that’s what I’ll do.
- Sen. Gary Forby

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 When State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) learned that severe storms raked Southern Illinois last night, his first response was to get on the phone.

 “I’ve talked to the governor’s office, the Department of Transportation, the Emergency Management Agency, Ameren, and everyone else I could think of.  They’re all on their way to Southern Illinois to help clean up the storm damage and try to get things back to normal,” Forby said.

The second thing the senator did was get in his car and leave Springfield, despite the fact that the Senate is in session.

“It’s more important for me to get back to the district and do what I can to help,” Forby said.  “It’s going to take a while to clean up after this storm.  If the best thing I can do is make phone calls and make sure that state aid is going where it needs to go, that’s what I’ll do.  If the best thing I can do is put on a pair of gloves and help move debris, that’s what I’ll do.”

Forby also looked back to the time a little bit less than a year ago when historic floods threatened several Southern Illinois communities.

“Last year, everyone came together to fight the floods, keep people safe, and rebuild damaged communities,” Forby added.  “I’m confident that the same thing will happen now.”

Forby also offered his condolences to the families in Harrisburg and other local communities who have lost loved ones and homes.

“This is a terrible tragedy,” he said.  “I feel terrible for the people who have lost friends and families to these storms and to the people who will have to repair or replace their homes and businesses.”

The senator ended on a cautionary note.

“I urge everyone to be careful today,” Forby said.  “Stay away from downed power lines.  If the police or other emergency responders give you directions, follow them.  And once things calm down a bit, be aware that con artists take advantage of storms to run repair scams.”