The State of Illinois is seeking an official disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) so that residents and businesses in DuPage and neighboring Counties can apply for low-interest, long-term loans to help with rebuilds/renovations following the June 20 tornadoes.
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), it is believed the threshold has been met for the SBA designation. 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 the resource center. Individuals still in need of assistance can visit Ready.Illinois.gov or call their local emergency management office. Those requiring additional help can also call Senator John Curran’s office at (630) 914-5733.