SPRINGFIELD, IL — Gov. JB Pritzker issued a state disaster proclamation Tuesday following months of severe weather and flooding that caused widespread damage across Illinois, including in Cook County.
The proclamation covers communities impacted by severe weather across 11 counties: Coles, Cook, Effingham, Jefferson, Kankakee, LaSalle, McLean, Stephenson, Warren, Winnebago and Woodford.
The storms, which began in March and continued through June, included record-breaking severe storms, tornadoes, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, hail and straight-line winds, according to the governor’s office.
RELATED: Is Illinois The New Tornado Alley? State Shatters All-Time Twister Record
Illinois has led the nation in tornadoes this year, with approximately 173 tornadoes verified by the National Weather Service, state officials said.
The proclamation was issued before Pritzker's planned visits Wednesday to Effingham and Jefferson counties.
“I have signed a disaster proclamation to provide state relief to support those impacted by severe weather and storms in order to accelerate the recovery process,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Illinois has faced unprecedented severe weather this year, and I remain committed to supporting every community, business, and family as they rebuild.”
Pritzker said communities are continuing to recover from storms that claimed lives and disrupted communities across the state.
“As communities recover, we remember the lives that were lost and hold their families and loved ones in our thoughts during this difficult time,” Pritzker said. “I want to thank IEMA-OHS for their ongoing coordination as they work to ensure those that were impacted get the resources they need.”
According to the governor’s office, the proclamation covers the following counties and storm dates:
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, in coordination with state and local partners, are continuing to deploy resources and implement the State Emergency Operations Plan to support response and recovery efforts in affected counties.
The proclamation directs state agencies to assist local governments as communities continue recovering from tornadoes and severe storms that exhausted local resources and caused widespread damage, according to the governor’s office.
“IEMA-OHS has been on the ground supporting communities since the first wave of spring severe weather occurred, working in coordination with our county and local emergency management partners to support local response needs and assess the damage immediately after,” IEMA-OHS Director Theodore “Ted” Berger said in a statement. “That kind of coordinated response between local and state officials is what Illinoisans deserve.”
Berger said the proclamation ensures the state can continue supporting impacted counties with available resources and pursue possible recovery assistance.
The storms damaged homes, businesses and critical infrastructure, caused prolonged power outages and strained local response capabilities as communities continue to recover and rebuild, state officials said.
The disaster proclamation makes additional state resources and personnel available to support response and recovery operations and can facilitate requests for state and federal disaster assistance.
Pritzker also directed IEMA-OHS to continue coordinating with federal partners to evaluate available assistance and identify additional resources to help impacted communities recover and rebuild.
State officials said the proclamation could unlock potential funding for small, rural communities through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Response program through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
The HUD-funded program allows eligible units of local government to apply for up to $250,000 to assist with unexpected costs after a governor-declared disaster, including cleanup, debris removal and repairs to public infrastructure, according to the governor’s office.
Communities have six months to apply for the funding after a disaster declaration is made.
The proclamation can also facilitate deployment of state personnel and equipment if needed or requested by local officials.
It also eases traditional procurement constraints to expedite the securing of resources, including commodities or specialized equipment needed for response efforts, according to state officials.
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