By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
BELVIDERE — Gov. JB Pritzker visited The Apollo Theatre on Sunday where he praised concert-goers and first responders for their quick actions Friday after a tornado ripped the roof off the historic structure.
Pritzker was in town to survey the damage and pledge the state’s support to Belvidere’s recovery efforts. His visit came one day after issuing a disaster proclamation, which paves the way for state funding and other resources to help residents and businesses affected by the powerful storms. The disaster proclamation includes Boone, Crawford, DuPage, Marion and Sangamon counties.
“This is a strong community and it showed up for each other on Friday night,” Pritzker said during a news conference in front of the 101-year-old theater. “The people of Illinois know that when others are hurting, neighbors show up for each other to help alleviate the suffering.”
Related: ‘We’re all rooting for The Apollo’: Officials optimistic the historic Belvidere structure can be saved
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado ripped a path from Davis Junction to Belvidere, culminating in the collapse of the Apollo’s roof during a concert by the death metal band Morbid Angel. The collapse killed Fred Livingston Jr., a 51-year-old father of three. There were 48 other people injured, including five who remain in critical condition, Pritzker said Sunday.
The injuries sustained have not been specified, but Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau said Sunday they were from blunt-force trauma and other soft-tissue wounds.
“If it wasn’t for the fast and coordinated efforts on Friday night, we would’ve seen a more tragic outcome,” Tate-Nadeau said during the news conference. “I really want to tell you what a great job that your fire and police have done for you in being able to respond to this incident. If it wasn’t for their quick actions there would have been many more lost lives.”
Belvidere Fire Department Lt. Dan Drall was the first firefighter through the doors of the Apollo Friday night shortly after the tornado struck. He saw dozens of walking wounded and many rushing to help those trapped beneath the debris.
“Once I walked in there was multiple people that were actually buried, and there was a handful of people actually picking up a large section of the roof, helping to extricate some of the other victims,” Drall said.
Related: Damage surveying, cleanup continues after powerful storm rips through Rockford region
Apollo future
On Sunday, State Street in front of the theater was reopened for traffic as crews continued cleanup work. Cranes were used to hoist the heavy roof material up and over the walls of the brick theater.
Building owner Maria Martinez, who spoke with Pritzker outside the theater, said she and her family are still digesting what happened. She declined further comment Sunday, but said the family would provided an update as soon as they’re ready.
Related: National Weather Service confirms 12 tornadoes, including EF-1 in Machesney Park and Belvidere
Belvidere Mayor Clinton Morris said the city will do what it can to help restore the building. First, the owners need to work with the insurance company, he said. Then the city can see what support may be available.
“I don’t want to lose this building,” Morris said. “I’m hopeful and I’ll do what I can.”
State Sen. Steve Stadelman and state Rep. Dave Vella similarly said they work to support rehabbing the theater, which originally opened in 1922.
“I know this building is incredibly important to the people of Belvidere, it’s over 100 years old,” Stadelman said. “I, along with Representative Vella and the mayor and the governor will continue to do what we can to salvage this building and make sure it remains part of the fabric and historic part of this community.”
Assessing damage
The tornado in Belvidere was one of a dozen across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, according to the National Weather Service. There was also an EF-1 tornado in Machesney Park and a tornado that has not been rated in the area of Caledonia and Poplar Grove.
This region was under a tornado watch on Friday, and a tornado warning was issued about 20 minutes before the damage to the Apollo happened, according to the National Weather Service. Tornado sirens also sounded around the region, including in downtown Belvidere.
The Illinois Emergency Management agency is in the middle of surveying the region to determine the severity and cost of the damage. Tate-Nadeau said that process could last up to 72 hours.
She said the Small Business Administration will assist those businesses that were damaged or shut down after the tornado. Pritkzer also said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has said it will provide additional support.
“Our community is heartbroken,” Mayor Morris said. “Our thoughts and prayers continue for Fred Livingston, his family, his loved ones and all those injured in this tragedy.”
Morris said the community showed its resilience Friday night as dozens of people stepped up to help. He noted the progress already made in less than 48 hours after the storm.
“Belvidere is a strong community, and we started our recovery on Friday evening,” Morris said. “As you can see, we’re a city that takes action.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas