SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is returning early from a vacation outside the U.S. to visit areas damaged by floods and thank volunteers.
Rauner’s office said Wednesday the governor will be in Springfield on Thursday night. He will spend the next several days in central and southern Illinois, where severe weather has led to flooding and seven deaths.
Rauner left the country sometime during the weekend of Dec. 19 -20 to spend the holidays with his family. His office wouldn’t say where he was or the reason they were keeping his whereabouts secret.
He had been scheduled to return to Illinois on Sunday.
Rauner spokesman Lance Trover says the governor plans to tour areas dealing with severe weather and ensure “that communities have everything they need.”
Rauner on Tuesday issued a disaster proclamation for seven counties, where about 7 inches of rain fell between Dec. 23 and 28.
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