Illinois State Emergency Agencies Prepared

CHICAGO -- Gov. George H. Ryan issued the following statement in response to the apparent terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and on domestic airliners:

"Today's apparent terrorist attacks are cowardly attempts to break the will of the American people. They failed. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. I join with the people of Illinois in praying for them. Their pain and suffering is beyond imagination. But the spirit of the American people and of democracy is strong. It cannot break.

In Illinois, we are prepared and monitoring all developments. Our Illinois Emergency Management Agency Command Center is operational. IEMA, the Illinois State Police, federal law enforcement agencies and the Illinois National Guard are all in close contact. We are also closely coordinating with the City of Chicago and all other cities and counties to ensure public safety. All of these agencies are working together and sharing information and assessing risks. At this time, there is no information of an immediate threat. We will marshal all resources to respond should the situation change. I am also offering to share resources and personnel to assist search and rescue efforts in New York, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania and any other affected areas.

As a precaution, Secretary of State Jesse White ordered the evacuation of the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. In Chicago, the Thompson Center was closed as were most downtown Chicago buildings in coordination with local law enforcement. These were only as a precaution and everyone is to be commended for the orderly evacuations."