Illinois asks for FEMA help after August storms

[Viable Food News Desk]

Publisher: Capitol News Illinois
Published: September 16, 2026
Source: Read at Capitol News Illinois
Category: Food Access

Gov. JB Pritzker asked FEMA for a presidential major disaster declaration covering eight Illinois counties after August tornadoes, high winds and flooding damaged Chicago's south suburbs and central Illinois. The request covers Champaign, Cook, Ford, Fulton, McLean, Tazewell, Vermilion and Will counties. Pritzker also extended the state's disaster proclamation to keep extra resources available to impacted communities. If FEMA approves the request, residents could receive grants for temporary housing or home repairs, while business owners could receive other assistance and local governments could get help repairing infrastructure, removing debris and responding to the storms.

Why this matters: FEMA approval could give storm-affected grocery businesses access to assistance and help local governments restore infrastructure and clear debris that communities rely on for food access.

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