From Chicago Sun-Times · · 3m
Illinois extends its storm emergency 30 more days
Pritzker keeps Illinois in disaster mode after a summer of flooding and tornadoes, and asks Washington for help paying for it.
In brief
Pritzker keeps Illinois in disaster mode after a summer of flooding and tornadoes, and asks Washington for help paying for it. The state extension keeps cleanup money flowing now, but real relief for homeowners in eight counties depends on FEMA saying yes. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Illinois stays in emergency mode
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a follow-up disaster proclamation on Sept. 15, extending the state's severe weather emergency for another 30 days.
It extends an August order
The original proclamation was signed Aug. 18, after weeks of flooding, tornadoes and other severe weather battered communities across the state.
What the extension unlocks
It keeps state funds and resources flowing to people hit by the storms, rather than letting that authority lapse mid-recovery.
Faster contracts for local government
The order also speeds up contracting and procurement for local governments, so cleanup crews and repairs do not stall in paperwork.
What the state is already doing
Under the earlier proclamation, state agencies have been running damage assessments, clearing debris, restoring power and sending mutual aid into several counties.
Now he wants federal money
Alongside the extension, Pritzker formally asked the federal government for disaster funds to cover what the state cannot.
A fight over relief money
Last year the Trump administration tried to block $2 billion in disaster relief over Illinois' sanctuary policies. Illinois and 20 other states won a suit over the holdup.
Pritzker expects a yes
The governor said the sheer scale of the damage makes the case for FEMA aid hard to refuse, while pressing that Illinois should not carry the cost alone.
“Illinoisans are incredibly resilient, but our state should not have to face this recovery alone.”
What FEMA aid would buy
Approval would open temporary housing, home repair grants, low-cost loans for uninsured property damage, and other programs for residents and business owners.
Eight counties, specific dates
The request covers Cook and Will for Aug. 11, Champaign and McLean for Aug. 13, Ford for Aug. 14-15, and Fulton, Tazewell and Vermilion for Aug. 13-15.
Help that already exists
Smaller and rural communities can tap HUD's Community Development Block Grant Disaster Response program, worth up to $250,000 per affected local government.
Six months to apply
Residents have six months from last month's original declaration to apply for that assistance, so the clock is already running.
A brutal storm year
This is Pritzker's third such declaration after severe storms in April and June. More than 200 tornadoes have hit Illinois this year.
At a glance
The state extension keeps cleanup money flowing now, but real relief for homeowners in eight counties depends on FEMA saying yes.
