# 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.
- Title: Illinois extends its storm emergency 30 more days | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: illinois, pritzker, fema, tornadoes, disaster relief, news, local, extends, storm, emergency, more, days
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/09/15/pritzker-extends-disaster-proclamation-to-aid-recovery-from-august-storms
- Published: 2026-09-15T23:40:42.857+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: illinois, pritzker, fema, tornadoes, disaster relief, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

The state extension keeps cleanup money flowing now, but real relief for homeowners in eight counties depends on FEMA saying yes.