By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – Authorities in central Illinois are seeking state and federal disaster assistance after at least four tornadoes touched down late Saturday.
In the town of Streator, 17 people suffered injuries. The mayor says high winds heavily damaged 30 buildings and knocked out power to a thousand people.
Illinois Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Patti Thompson says the small town of Dwight nearby, was also hit hard.
The National Weather Service has confirmed four reports of tornado touchdowns in central Illinois.
The storms were part of a system that left seven dead in northwestern Ohio.