Published on June 24, 2026 2:49 pm
Last Updated on June 24, 2026 2:49 pm
Effingham County Board members Wednesday approved an extension of an emergency disaster declaration for the county in the wake of last week’s tornado.
Board Chairman Josh Douthit said the declaration he issued last week would expire after seven days. The extension approved today by the full Board can be in effect for up to 30 days.
One item clarified at today’s special Board meeting concerned contractor registration. Douthit explained that is to keep people from outside Effingham County from preying on local residents that those residents don’t know. He explained that if county residents wish, they can reach outside the county to contact someone they know for help.
Douthit added that the guidelines don’t apply to volunteers from outside the county who want to come to help “with cleanup or whatever.”
Catherine Bailey of the Effingham County Emergency Management Agency reminded of the Multi-Agency Resource Center that will be open Thursday and Friday to connect with recovery resources and support services.
The MARC will be located at the Hearts Rock Cafe in Effingham County on Thursday from 1 to 7pm and on Friday from 9am to noon.
Bailey said ECEMA and Red Cross are partnering on the MARC. She said the Illinois Department of Insurance will be in attendance, as will the USDA although they will only be able to be present from 1pm to 3:30pm on Thursday. Other agencies being sought include Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department on Aging, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Effingham County Health Department, Effingham County Case Managers, Heartland Human Services, United Way of Effingham County, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, FISH, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, and Summit Township.
Follow-up questions can be addressed to County EMA Director Pamela Jacobs at ema@effinghamcountyil.gov
