Illinois

Stay safe.

I have driven past the corner where the restaurant was destroyed, near Rochelle. And I am close to the areas in Lee County that were hit hard.

I went to the mall in Sterling yesterday, for the first time since the roof was blown off part of the mall. There are still many stores that have not reopened. The chain stores will recover. I am worried for some of the independent small business owners there. I am friendly with a lady who just reopened her candle and gift shop two days ago, after repairing the flood damage. I hope she will be all right. They operate on such a small profit margin.

We have been hit hard all over this area. I feel lucky to have escaped, and hope it stays that way!

Good luck with your repairs and cleanup!