Durbin, Duckworth Lead Illinois Lawmakers In Urging President Trump To Grant Major Disaster Declaration For Illinois Counties Following Severe Weather

Durbin, Duckworth Lead Illinois Lawmakers In Urging President Trump To Grant Major Disaster Declaration For Illinois Counties Following Severe Weather

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth today led all members of the Illinois delegation in sending a bipartisan letter to President Trump urging the White House to grant Governor JB Pritzker's request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration authorizing federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA), to help Champaign, Cook, Ford, Fulton, McLean, Tazewell, Vermilion, and Will Counties recover from severe storm damage. During the period of August 11-16, severe storms-including tornadoes, straight-line winds, and a derecho-crossed the state, resulting in serious damage to Illinoisans' homes and businesses.

Today's letter comes after the Trump Administration twice rejected FEMA aid for Illinois storm victims impacted by severe weather in summer 2025. The Trump Administration offered no serious justification for the repeated rejections. In their letter, the lawmakers request immediate support for Illinois for August's storms, emphasizing that the severity of damage justifies swift assistance from the federal government. Notably, FEMA has already approved a major disaster declaration request from the Indiana state government for the same storm system, which swept through both Illinois and Indiana in August.

"We write in support of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for federal assistance for the State of Illinois to help eight Illinois counties recover from severe storm damage that occurred from August 11-16, 2026," wrote the lawmakers.

"Governor Pritzker has indicated that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that an effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments. We support his request for authorization of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA)in the impacted counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. Additionally, we support his request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) physical and economic injury disaster declaration for the affected counties. This would enable low interest SBA disaster loans, including physical and economic injury loans, to support affected individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations," the lawmakers wrote.

"The initial weather system on August 11 resulted in a derecho across Northern Illinois, producing widespread winds of 70 mph and eight tornadoes with peak winds near 115 mph. Follow-on storms repeatedly struck the same regions with severe weather, exacerbating the wind damage and resulting in historic levels of rainfall in some counties. All eight counties experienced significant damage from downed trees, power outages, and flooding," the lawmakers wrote. "Subsequent damage has impacted homeowners, businesses, roadways, and infrastructure. As such, the Governor seeks timely federal assistance from FEMA and SBA."

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

September 16, 2026

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for federal assistance for the State of Illinois to help eight Illinois counties recover from severe storm damage that occurred from August 11-16, 2026. Specifically, he requests a Major Disaster Declaration for Champaign, Cook, Ford, Fulton, McLean, Tazewell, Vermilion, and Will Counties.

Governor Pritzker has indicated that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that an effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments. We support his request for authorization of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA)in the impacted counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. Additionally, we support his request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) physical and economic injury disaster declaration for the affected counties. This would enable low interest SBA disaster loans, including physical and economic injury loans, to support affected individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

During the August 11-16, 2026, period, a multi-day severe weather episode passed through Champaign, Cook, Ford, Fulton, McLean, Tazewell, Vermilion, and Will Counties, resulting in multiple rounds of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding. The initial weather system on August 11 resulted in a derecho across Northern Illinois, producing widespread winds of 70 mph and eight tornadoes with peak winds near 115 mph. Follow-on storms repeatedly struck the same regions with severe weather, exacerbating the wind damage and resulting in historic levels of rainfall in some counties. All eight counties experienced significant damage from downed trees, power outages, and flooding. Subsequent damage has impacted homeowners, businesses, roadways, and infrastructure. As such, the Governor seeks timely federal assistance from FEMA and SBA.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important request. We stand ready

to assist in any way appropriate.

Sincerely,

-30-