Gov. Pritzker Seeks Disaster Declaration from Small Business Administration in Wake of DuPage County Tornadoes

Press Release

Governor JB Pritzker today submitted a request to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) seeking a disaster declaration to provide financial assistance to residents and businesses in DuPage County in the wake of severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on June 20. If approved, the SBA declaration would allow eligible residents and businesses in DuPage County, and its contiguous counties, to apply for low-interest, long-term loans.

"Recent storms have upended the daily lives of DuPage county residents, impacting family homes and local businesses. Multiple State agencies have been on the ground working closely with community leaders to provide critical support as residents begin the process of rebuilding," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Receiving a disaster declaration from the U.S. SBA would provide an additional level of needed support to the community and help residents get back on their feet faster and stronger."

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) worked with the local jurisdictions to complete an extensive damage assessment of the affected area. While the damage did not meet the threshold for a federal disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the State believes the threshold has been met for the SBA. 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.

The State of Illinois recently partnered with Community Organizations Active in Disaster of Northeast Illinois and the American Red Cross to host a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) in Woodridge. More than 800 people visited this one-stop-shop resource center seeking assistance from state and local officials. Individuals still in need of assistance can visit Ready.Illinois.gov or call their local emergency management office.

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