Governor Pat Quinn has asked for federal disaster designations for virtually all Illinois counties. His request comes amid one of the state's worst droughts on record.
Quinn made the request in a letter sent to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. A spokesman for the governor says nearly 30 counties already have the designation.
If Vilsack grants Quinn's latest request, nearly every one of the state's 102 counties would be eligible for special grants and loan programs.
In his letter, Quinn says farmers in Illinois are experiencing significant losses due to ``persistent'' and ``unprecedented'' heat and drought.