# Trump denies Illinois disaster relief request for summer storms

> Trump rejects federal aid for Illinois after summer storms.
- Title: Trump denies Illinois disaster relief request for summer…
- Summary: Trump rejects federal aid for Illinois after summer storms. Trump administration denies Illinois disaster relief funds for summer storms, prompting governor…
- Keywords: trump, illinois, gov jb pritzker, disaster relief, summer storms, federal aid, appeal, tornadoes, cook county, champaign county, news, local
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/10/08/trump-denies-disaster-relief-for-illinois-summer-storms
- Published: 2026-10-09T03:19:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: trump, illinois, gov jb pritzker, disaster relief, summer storms, federal aid, appeal, tornadoes, cook county, champaign county, news, local
## Trump denies Illinois disaster relief
The Trump administration is denying federal disaster assistance to Illinois for aid it requested to assist in recovery efforts from severe storms throughout the summer.
## Illinois requests relief funds
Illinois requested funds for individuals and municipalities struggling with cleanup in Champaign, Cook, Ford, Fulton, McLean, Tazewell, Vermilion, and Will counties.
## Pritzker plans appeal
Governor JB Pritzker said the state would continue to explore every available option to help communities recover and survivors rebuild their lives after devastating storms.
## Pritzker's statement
Donald Trump should never play politics with their homes, businesses, and infrastructure when a massive storm system crosses state lines.
## Illinois tornadoes
Illinois has seen the most tornadoes of any state in the nation this year with 212 amid a summer-long surge of severe weather.
## Previous disaster declaration
Last month, Pritzker extended his initial disaster proclamation signed Aug. 18 for temporary housing and home repair grants if the request had gone through.
## Legal challenge
District Court for the District of Rhode Island Judge William E. Smith said the order was unconstitutional and violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
## Political criticism
Sen. Dick Durbin called the decision politically motivated and beneath the dignity of the office Trump holds.
## Pritzker's appeal
Pritzker said he plans to appeal the decision to the federal government for disaster relief funds.
## Key takeaway

Trump administration denies Illinois disaster relief funds for summer storms, prompting governor Pritzker to appeal the decision.