U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is calling for help from Midwest political and agricultural leaders to fight the emerald ash borer.

The beetle has destroyed millions of trees throughout the region.

Durbin says state and federal forces have been mobilized to contain the infestation in Kane County and the Village of Wilmette.

“I don’t want to jump to any conclusions yet, we’re going to go through this in a systematic and scientific way, but this is serious,” Durbin says. “It’s going to cost a lot of money. It’s going to change the profile of a lot of communities that have been very proud of the old trees they have.”

Durbin says it took nine years and $70 million to eliminate another threat to trees: the Asian long-horned beetle.

He says the emerald ash borer is more destructive and hopes the state can keep it contained.