SPRINGFIELD – The State of Illinois is seeking support for recovery efforts in northern Illinois following flash flooding in Cook and Will counties. On June 26, the National Weather Service indicates a severe storm system moved through northern Illinois and resulted in torrential rain and severe flash flooding. Today, Governor JB Pritzker submitted a formal request to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) seeking an SBA disasterdeclaration. If approved, an SBA declaration would enable residents and business owners in Will and Cook counties, and those in the contiguous counties, to apply for low-interest, long-term loans.
“This year we have seen significant damage and destruction brought on by severe weather and we are pursuing all options to help our communities recover,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “My administration stands with the residents and business owners in the south suburbs who continue to clean-up and rebuild following flash flooding this summer, and we are working to ensure that the Small Business Administration will recognize the needs of this community and approve our request for federal assistance.”
During the week of September 16, at the request of local officials, a joint preliminary damage assessment took place in the Steger community. This damage assessment was led by local officials and included representatives from SBA and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). The assessment revealed damage to more than 206 homes and 14 businesses, and resulted in more than $3.6 million in damage to personal or commercial property.
To be eligible for an SBA declaration, at least 25 homes and/or businesses in a county must sustain major, uninsured losses of 40 percent or more. Initial local damage assessments indicate the number of damaged homes or businesses should meet the required SBA requirements; however, the numbers do not meet the threshold for funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
For additional information related to flood clean-up and recovery, please visit Ready.Illinois.gov.
About Post Author
