Katrina Victims Head for Illinois

Macomb, IL – A group of about 220 Hurricane Katrina victims is expected in central Illinois soon. The Salvation Army plans to house about 150 of them at its summer camp northwest of Peoria. Others will be placed at Illinois Central College or in part of a Peoria retirement home. Plans are for the evacuees to be transferred to longer-term housing arrangements if possible. Some will be seeking jobs. Salvation Army Captain Owen Thomas says the goal will be to move the evacuees back to the New Orleans area when it's safe to do so. Also, HUD has been polling county housing authorities in western Illinois to see if they have vacancies that could be used to house hurricane victims. The Illinois Bureau of Homeless Services and Supportive Housing plans to house at least 2,500 evacuees from the New Orleans area.