Pritzker signs disaster proclamation to aid Illinois communities in storm cleanup efforts

[Viable Food News Desk]

Publisher: Capitol News Illinois
Published: August 19, 2026
Source: Read at Capitol News Illinois
Category: Food Access

Gov. JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation on Aug. 18 for 15 Illinois counties affected by severe storms. Small, rural communities in those counties can apply for up to $250,000 through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Community Development Block Grant for storm cleanup, debris removal and public infrastructure repairs. Applications must be submitted within six months of the Aug. 18 proclamation. The funding is not available to individuals, who must seek storm damage assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Why this matters: Independent grocers in eligible communities may see local cleanup and public infrastructure repairs supported by the program. The funding does not directly cover damage to private businesses.

This post summarizes and links to the original source. It does not reproduce the full article.