State Seeks SBA Disaster Assistance to Aid Flood Recovery Efforts

SPRINGFIELD - The State of Illinois is seeking additional recovery assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to aid homeowners and business owners along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers who were impacted by the historic 2019 flood.  Today, Governor JB Pritzker submitted a formal request to the SBA seeking a disaster declaration. 

If approved, an SBA declaration would pave the way for low-interest, long-term loans for homeowners, renters and business owners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters would also be eligible to apply for loans to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.  Businesses and private non-profit organizations would be eligible to apply for loans to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

"While we are disappointed that our request for FEMA assistance was denied, we must move quickly to secure assistance for flood survivors," said Acting IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. "We are approaching the winter months. Residents and business owners who need repairs to their homes are running out of time. These river communities have been waiting for more than three months to receive help from the federal government. We are hopeful for an expedited approval from the SBA so that communities can begin to heal."

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.  After reviewing the results of a joint preliminary damage assessment, state officials believe that Stephenson, Rock Island, Jersey and Alexander counties would meet the SBA criteria for a disaster declaration.  If approved, this would also make the following contiguous counties eligible for disaster loans and assistance: Jo Daviess, Winnebago, Carroll, Ogle, Whiteside, Henry, Mercer, Calhoun, Greene, Macoupin, Madison, Union and Pulaski.

For individuals and homeowners who still need immediate assistance in the wake of these devastating floods, the State of Illinois has a comprehensive flood recovery website dedicated to assisting flood survivors. From mortgage assistance, emergency housing and debris removal, available resources can be found online at www2.illinois.gov/2019floods.