In addition to the economic impact dollar figure, of particular interest to us was that the All-Star Game and related events generated nearly 20,000 hotel room nights, with an average lodging expense of $403 per group.

We'd still be a host county. But I think what's happening now with the magnitude of the storms we're looking at is we're going to see a lot deeper intrusion by these storms when they get over Polk County or get over Central Florida.

I was simply amazed; in my 20-plus years as a funeral home director, I have never seen workers come out in force in a display of respect as I had here today. There were state highway department workers at every intersection on the way to the cemetery and about 40 to 50 state trucks on hand. The Illinois Department of Transportation takes care of its own. It was very impressive.

We try to take advantage of everything. If we have one mismatch we'll ride it as long as we can.

There wasn't anything I could do about it. I lost three docks. I've been here 35 years, and I've never seen devastation like this.

The perception is all we are is smokestacks and empty buildings. It's an opportunity to let the world see what's happening here.