Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner activated an emergency operations center in Springfield after a reported tornado ripped through rural communities, his office said in a statement.
Law enforcement officials told CNN affiliate WQAD that a tornado struck late Thursday in Cameron, an unincorporated community in the northwestern part of the state.
Authorities in other counties also reported damage. The town of Monmouth lost electricity, according to Holy Family Medical Center. The hospital has received no injured storm victims.
The state emergency operations center was to serve as a backup for local emergency responders, should they need assistance, the governor’s office said.
