Pritzker signs disaster proclamation to aid Illinois communities in
storm cleanup efforts
[August 20, 2026]
By Maggie Dougherty
CHICAGO — Gov. JB Pritzker issued a proclamation Tuesday to bring
financial help to 15 Illinois counties pounded by severe and
record-breaking storms over recent weeks.
The proclamation, which took immediate effect, is intended to mobilize
resources for debris removal and repairs to public infrastructure and
will give small, rural communities 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,” 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.”
This money is not available to individuals seeking storm damage relief,
who instead must apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
The move comes after Pritzker toured storm damage in Lansing last week
and signed a new law intended to help homeowners in Chicago access
financial relief to repair damage after flooding, legislation that was
passed in response to significant flooding on the Southwest Side of
Chicago last summer.
Illinois residents have endured a pattern of severe weather events this
year, from heavy rainfall and flash flooding to a record-breaking number
of tornadoes — over 200 as of mid-August.
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Storm damage can be seen throughout Lansing, Illinois on Aug. 14,
2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Maggie Dougherty)
The 15 counties eligible for relief under the governor’s
proclamation are Alexander, Champaign, Cook, DuPage, Ford, Fulton,
Kane, Lake, LaSalle, Marshall, McLean, Pulaski, Tazewell, Vermillion
and Will counties.
Communities in those areas are now eligible to apply for disaster
response funding through the Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity’s Community Development Block Grant.
The program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, will provide reimbursement for storm cleanup, debris
removal and public infrastructure repairs.
Funding applications must be submitted within six months of the Aug.
18 proclamation.
The proclamation also facilitates the deployment of state personnel
and equipment to assist in storm cleanup if requested by local
authorities and relieves traditional procurement constraints to help
communities more quickly make emergency purchases of specialized
equipment needed for storm cleanup.
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