On November 20, a disaster declaration for storm-impacted regions of Cook County in Illinois was given approval by President Joe Biden. This decision activates federal financial aid for both residents and businesses affected by the severe weather events of September 17 and 18.
According to a White House release, the aid package comprises of "grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster." Displaced residents and business owners directly affected can seek aid on www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a phone call at (800) 621- 3362. County and state aid efforts will be supplemented by this federal assistance, stated Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Understanding the disaster's severity, federal, state, and local units of government have banded together to deliver needed support. A letter requesting federal aid was signed by Illinois Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, along with the state House delegation on November 10 in support of Governor J.B. Pritzker's. In it, they outlined the flood-caused challenges of September 17, which included significant property damage, widespread power outages, and limited roadway access.
Access to federal funding for disaster recovery efforts for Cook County's affected individuals has been granted by their disaster declaration. Grants for temporary housing and low-cost loans to make up for uninsured property losses are included. Waddy Gonzalez has been appointed to oversee the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) coordinated recovery efforts in the affected areas. Also, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
