SPRINGFIELD – The Trump Administration’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has officially denied the State of Illinois’ request for a major disaster declaration after severe storms, derecho, flooding, and tornadoes devastated communities across the state this August. In a letter dated October 7th, Trump’s FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton stated that assistance for affected counties was “not warranted.”
“Our communities are still picking up the pieces from the destruction caused by severe weather this summer. Donald Trump should never play politics with their homes, businesses, and infrastructure,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “When a massive storm system crosses state lines, the resulting damage should be evaluated fairly, consistently and based on the same objective standards and criteria, regardless of which state it impacts. Illinois will continue to explore every available option to help our communities recover and the survivors rebuild their lives after devastating storms.”
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Illinois’ request was for individual and public assistance to the affected counties of Champaign, Cook, Ford, Fulton, McLean, Tazewell, Vermilion, and Will. The State of Illinois will be appealing this decision given the extent of the damage – including extensive property and infrastructure damage, power outages, flooding, and more.
Governor JB Pritzker issued a state disaster proclamation after these storms that made additional state resources available to support response efforts and recovery operations including funding for impacted communities, additional personnel and equipment, and streamlined procurement. Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) and other Illinois agencies were also on the ground supporting local and county officials with damage assessments, debris cleanup, power restoration and mutual aid assistance.
“This is not the update we hoped to share with the communities that continue to recover from the devastating storms we experienced in August,” said IEMA-OHS Director Theodore (Ted) Berger. “While we are disappointed by this decision, our mission has not changed. IEMA-OHS will continue to work alongside our local partners to assess their needs and coordinate available resources for impacted communities. We will continue to advocate for the communities and residents in need of assistance.”
This year, Illinois has experienced record-breaking weather, from torrential downpours, flash flooding, straight-line winds and several tornadoes – leading the nation with approximately 212 tornadoes verified by the National Weather Service (NWS) already this year.
While President Trump continues to politicize and destroy the integrity of the federal disaster funding process and refuses to respond when resources are objectively warranted, Governor Pritzker remains grounded in the facts and will continue to pursue all available options to secure relief for impacted Illinoisans as they recover and rebuild.
“Much like a toddler throwing a tantrum, Donald Trump continues to punish Americans who live in states that did not support him in the last election. This behavior is beneath the dignity of the office he holds,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “I support Governor Pritzker’s appeal of this decision and will continue to do whatever I can to support Illinoisans in the aftermath of these devastating storms.”
“Make no mistake: President Trump is turning his back on Illinois families when they need their government the most,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “Families across the state lost their homes, businesses, and power this August, and this administration just told them emergency assistance is “not warranted.” This is outrageous! Illinois taxpayers send billions a year to Washington. Money that goes to help our neighbors, regardless of politics. I will fight this partisan attack by President Trump alongside my Illinois Colleagues. I will not back down to this weak president."
“Donald Trump had an opportunity to help Americans, but instead he’s choosing to put their livelihoods at further risk in the name of politics,” said Congressman Sean Casten. “Those of us who care about Illinoisans' well-being will continue working to ensure these communities have the resources they need to rebuild and recover.”
“Once again, while thousands of families across Illinois need assistance, Trump is turning his back on our communities in political retribution,” said Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez. "Comes as no surprise. Trump doesn’t want to take responsibility for caring for Americans facing emergencies - he wants to use assistance to curry favor, to reward loyalists, and to privatize services so his cronies profit from our pain. When families need support to rebuild their lives, politics should play no role in whether we show up for each other. It is time to reimagine how our government can work to keep us safe— and I am starting that work with the Reimagining Safety Act."
"This rejection by the Trump Administration is a slap in the face to communities in my district that have been working tirelessly to recover from devastating, record-breaking storms,” said Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski. “This funding could have made a real difference for families still picking up the pieces, which is why I was proud to support Governor Pritzker’s disaster declaration request last month that included Champaign County. One can't help but notice the states receiving approvals happen to be those the President is visiting on the campaign trail. Denying critical disaster relief to families who have already endured so much is wrong -- and should never be politically motivated. I’ll keep fighting to make sure Central Illinois gets the resources it needs and deserves.”
“Aggressive storms caused widespread damage to homes, streets, and vehicles in my district. Countless homeowners, renters, small businesses, and transit agencies across Southwest Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs in Cook County were affected and are still struggling to recover,” said Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García. “The areas impacted are largely working-class, with little to no support to economically recover without federal assistance. Politicizing a tragedy is a cowardly action, but it is not surprising coming from the Trump Administration.”
“The Trump Administration’s latest decision to steal taxpayer dollars and politicize federal disaster assistance for families in northern Illinois is completely unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Lauren Underwood. “When disaster strikes, taxpayers should be able to count on the federal government showing up for them. Our communities and our families deserve better, and I will keep fighting for the federal resources that we deserve.”
“The purpose of these disaster declarations is to help families pick up the pieces of their homes, businesses, and livelihoods and start on the path toward rebuilding their lives,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “The mere idea that the Trump administration would play games with this is ridiculous and an insult to those who are already dealing with the unimaginable. I look forward to working with Governor Pritzker and all our partners to ensure Illinois families have the support they need to make a full recovery from this summer’s storms.”
“Families across Illinois are still recovering from devastating storms, and they should not have to face this crisis alone,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “When disaster strikes, the federal government has a responsibility to show up for the communities that need help. We will continue fighting to ensure Illinois families get the support they deserve.”
"It is not a coincidence that FEMA is refusing to help Illinois in the same week that Donald Trump is back on social media attacking Chicago. Trump using our city as a punching bag to score cheap political points has real impacts on Illinois families, who should not be punished because of which side of a state line they happen to live on," said Congressman Mike Quigley. "I will keep fighting alongside Governor Pritzker and my Illinois colleagues in Congress to make sure our residents get the resources they deserve."
"A true leader delivers support and funds to the communities they serve and who look up to them, regardless of zip code or state line,” said Congressman Brad Schneider. Politicizing the release of emergency funds to help recover from a natural disaster is extremely dangerous and morally wrong. Unfortunately, we cannot expect leadership from this Administration. I stand with Governor Pritzker and my Illinois Congressional colleagues in calling out this attack on our communities. We will continue to work together to find avenues to deliver the relief and support our shared constituents need and deserve to rebuild and recover.”
