Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation Friday authorizing direct state payments to Southwest Side residents and others whose homes were damaged by recent storms and tornadoes — filling a gap left by the federal government’s refusal to declare disaster relief for Illinois residents.
The move marks a rare instance of state government absorbing costs typically covered by FEMA. Federal Emergency Management Agency funding has dried up under the Trump administration, Pritzker said, leaving Illinois residents without the disaster assistance they have historically received.
“The federal government, the Congress, and President Trump have defunded FEMA, and it has affected people all across the entire nation,” Pritzker said at a bill-signing ceremony in the Southwest Side’s West Lawn neighborhood. “This is when people are in their very worst moments and they need help.”
Blue states hit hardest
States with Democratic governors and two Democratic senators have faced rejection rates as high as 62.5% for disaster declarations under the current administration, according to data compiled by the Revolving Door Project’s Tracker. Illinois, with Democratic Gov. Pritzker and Democratic Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, falls into that category.
The disparity underscores what Pritzker called a pattern of political decision-making at the federal level.
“It seems like the whims of the federal government are at play,” he said.
Two storms on June 10 and 11 of this year hit the Southwest Side, with the 13th and 23rd wards taking an especially heavy toll, when an EF-2 tornado ripped through the area narrowly missing Midway Airport on June 11, causing severe structural damage and power outages lasting for days.
How the relief works
Senate Bill 3925 establishes a one-time rebate program for homeowners whose residences suffered flood damage. Eligible residents can receive up to 50% reimbursement for documented repair costs, capped at $1,000 per household.
To qualify, homeowners must submit receipts showing costs incurred from flood damage to their local governing commission. The rebate program will run for three years unless the commission votes to extend it.
Southwest Side residents registered with the Southwest Home Equity Assurance Program will be able to apply for a rebate in 2027. For information and eligibility requirements go to swhomeequity.com.
The one-time payment will help residents restore homes and lives after multiple storms and tornadoes struck the region, according to Ald. Marty Quinn (13th), who championed the legislation alongside state Rep. Angie Guerrero-Cuellar and state Sen. Mike Porfirio.
“The governor stepped up for our community at a time when others would not,” Quinn said. “Our federal government turned its back on us.”
The state has already sued the federal government over disaster assistance denials with Attorney General Kwame Raoul leading the legal challenge.
Porfirio stated the legislation is a display of bringing direct relief to residents. “We’e restoring that faith in government and so I’m really happy to see this piece of legislation signed into law,” he said.
Guerrero-Cuellar thanked the governor, the bill’s co-sponsor Porfirio, Quinn, the Chicago City Council and others “… who refuse to give up on our residents in a time of need.”
“I walked into basements for some of our seniors in the area and it wasn’t just the physical destruction, but the memories that were also destroyed and floating in the basement,” she said. “When the federal government provided no relief, we knew we had to step up and find a needed solution and we did just that.”
Federal support remains uncertain
Pritzker said the state has received some federal assistance through the Small Business Administration for loans to families and businesses, and occasional disaster aid. But FEMA approvals have become unpredictable.
“More often, it is that FEMA is just deciding not to support,” he said.
The governor expressed hope the Trump administration would eventually approve FEMA funds for Illinois but acknowledged the state cannot fill all the gaps left by federal cuts to disaster relief, Medicaid, and food assistance programs.
“The state government doesn’t have the resources to fill in all the holes that the federal government has now made for states across the country,” Pritzker said.
Whether the Trump administration will eventually release FEMA funding, the governor remains hopeful. “I don’t think there’s any reason we should just say they’re never going to do it. They have,and I believe they will,” he said.
Election time only reason he’s doing something fat ass needs to be deported and never alod back in this country grade a P.O.S.we the people of Illinois are tired of him especially southern Illinois