SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - With the recent flooding throughout the state, Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is reminding flood victims that aid is available through the treasurer’s Disaster Recovery Linked Deposit Program.

According Rutherford, the program helps residents, businesses and farmers get  low-interest loans to recover from weather-related damage to their property.

After a loan is approved, Rutherford says the state makes a deposit into the financial institution which helps lower the interest rate to the borrower, effectively making the repairs more affordable. 

The maximum interest rate for qualifying borrowers is 2.36 percent for a two-year loan and 2.69 percent for a three-year loan for the month of April 2013.  The rate is locked in for the duration of the period.  The program caps the interest rate at 3 percent for qualified borrowers at participating financial institutions.

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Transportation is pleased to announce the launch of an online web portal for the Illinois Bike Transportation Plan.

You can click here to visit the site.

It provides a comprehensive overview of the plan and offers the public several opportunities to submit feedback, track plan progression and collaborate with IDOT.

During the coming months, the site will be populated with additional resources and updated outreach information via the Timeline tool. The site will also host an interactive public engagement tool that will allow the public to submit bicycle policy and route recommendations. Finally, the site will provide helpful links to the public and instructions on ordering free Illinois bike maps.

CHICAGO, IL (KFVS)- Governor Pat Quinn spoke Wednesday at the annual Illinois Governor's Conference on Affordable Housing where he addressed home ownership opportunities.

According to his office, the Governor also talked about helping working families stay in their homes and stabilizing communities.

"Homeowners are the foundation of thriving neighborhoods that strengthen our state," Governor Quinn said. "Being able to access affordable, safe, quality homes and rentals is important to the stability of our communities and spurs job creation. By working together with our dedicated federal, local and private partners, we will drive our economy forward by creating and sustaining affordable housing across Illinois."

The two-day event at the UIC Forum drew approximately 600 attendees dedicated to ensuring access to safe and decent housing for Illinois' working families, Veterans, seniors and people with disabilities.