Gov. JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation on Tuesday to bring financial help to 15 Illinois counties pounded by severe and record-breaking storms over recent weeks, mobilizing state resources for debris removal and public infrastructure repairs.
Mobilizing Relief Across Fifteen Hard-Hit Counties
The proclamation took immediate effect on August 18, targeting a widespread swath of Illinois that has weathered relentless severe weather this summer. Small, rural communities caught in the path of these weather events now have the opportunity to apply for disaster relief funding of up to $250,000.
“I know these storms have impacted countless Illinois families and requires we band together to help them recover,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement announcing the proclamation. “As this relentless and unprecedented weather continues to wreak havoc across our region, I remain committed to ensuring those impacted get the resources and help they need.”
The 15 counties eligible for relief under the governor’s directive span the state, including Alexander, Champaign, Cook, DuPage, Ford, Fulton, Kane, Lake, LaSalle, Marshall, McLean, Pulaski, Tazewell, Vermillion, and Will counties. Five of these are in the Chicago region.
Navigating the Grant Process and State Deployment
Local authorities in the eligible zones can now apply for disaster response funding through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Community Development Block Grant program. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the grants provide reimbursement for storm cleanup, debris removal, and public infrastructure repairs.
Communities must submit their funding applications within six months of the August 18 proclamation date. Beyond fiscal aid, the emergency declaration facilitates the direct deployment of state personnel and equipment to assist local crews when formally requested. It also relieves traditional state procurement constraints, allowing municipal leaders to more quickly make emergency purchases of specialized equipment needed for storm cleanup.
State officials emphasize that this specific pool of money is not available to individuals seeking storm damage relief. Individual residents seeking personal storm damage relief must instead apply directly for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A Record-Breaking Season of Severe Weather
This emergency action follows a stretch of extreme weather that has gripped Illinois throughout the year. From heavy rainfall and flash flooding to a record-breaking number of tornadoes, the state has faced severe weather events.
According to data highlighted by Capitol News Illinois, the state recorded over 200 confirmed tornadoes as of mid-August. That figure places Illinois ahead of neighboring states in tornado frequency this season; by comparison, The Weather Channel reported that Indiana had 81 confirmed tornadoes as of Friday.
The governor’s proclamation builds upon recent legislative and executive actions addressing localized devastation. Last week, Pritzker toured severe storm damage in south suburban Lansing and signed fresh legislation designed to help homeowners in Chicago access financial relief for flooding—a measure passed in response to significant flooding on the city’s Southwest Side last summer.
