SBA Offers Relief to Illinois Businesses, Private Nonprofits, and Residents Affected by Severe Storms and Tornadoes

WASHINGTON -The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for Illinois small businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by severe storms and tornadoes June 17. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Governor JB Pritzker on July 7.

The declaration covers the Illinois counties of Clark, Clay, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Moultrie, and Shelby, which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.

Businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

"When disasters strike, SBA's Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover," said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at SBA. "At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available."

SBA's EIDL program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit organizations with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant's financial condition.

Beginning Wednesday, July 15, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in the counties of Coles and Effingham to answer questions about SBA's disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are welcome, and you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

The hours of operation are listed below:

COLES COUNTY

Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Coles County Center for Human Services

825 18 St.

Charleston, IL 61920

Opens at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 15

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Closes permanently at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 30

EFFINGHAM COUNTY

Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Effingham Board of Education

2803 S. Banker Street

Effingham, IL 62401

Opens 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 15

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Closes permanently at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 30

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Sept. 8. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 12, 2027.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit https://www.sba.gov.

Related programs: Disaster

Email [email protected]