Illinois Seeks Federal Flood Aid as Disastrous Summer Storms Leave Trail of Destruction
A single mom and her children were forced to abandon their home in Garfield Ridge after the basement flooded due to storm-related sewage backup, joining tens of thousands of residents across Chicago who have been affected by heavy rainfall in July and August. The family's story is just one among 438,000 Illinoisans who could benefit from disaster relief funds.
According to documents reviewed by local media outlets, nine counties were hit hard with flooding, causing significant damage to homes and businesses. The state has requested $620 million in disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but President Donald Trump's administration rejected the request last month.
Gov. JB Pritzker has since asked Trump to reconsider the decision, citing the devastating impact on "economically vulnerable" residents. Flood survivors are facing health hazards such as mold and contamination from sewage backup, which can lead to respiratory problems for children and older adults.
The state's rejection of federal aid is seen as unprecedented by community advocates who have worked with residents in the past. "This is what FEMA is for – to help people repair after disasters," said Lori Burns, a Chatham resident who has previously received federal aid. "To hold money from those people, I hope is illegal, but definitely unethical."
Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth has accused Trump of punishing states that didn't vote for him, calling on the president to provide disaster assistance without playing politics. The White House denies this, stating that it is committed to empowering state and local governments to invest in their own resilience before disasters strike.
The decision by Trump's administration raises concerns about the federal government's priorities in responding to natural disasters. As residents struggle to cope with the aftermath of the flooding, many are left wondering why they are being denied much-needed aid.
A single mom and her children were forced to abandon their home in Garfield Ridge after the basement flooded due to storm-related sewage backup, joining tens of thousands of residents across Chicago who have been affected by heavy rainfall in July and August. The family's story is just one among 438,000 Illinoisans who could benefit from disaster relief funds.
According to documents reviewed by local media outlets, nine counties were hit hard with flooding, causing significant damage to homes and businesses. The state has requested $620 million in disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but President Donald Trump's administration rejected the request last month.
Gov. JB Pritzker has since asked Trump to reconsider the decision, citing the devastating impact on "economically vulnerable" residents. Flood survivors are facing health hazards such as mold and contamination from sewage backup, which can lead to respiratory problems for children and older adults.
The state's rejection of federal aid is seen as unprecedented by community advocates who have worked with residents in the past. "This is what FEMA is for – to help people repair after disasters," said Lori Burns, a Chatham resident who has previously received federal aid. "To hold money from those people, I hope is illegal, but definitely unethical."
Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth has accused Trump of punishing states that didn't vote for him, calling on the president to provide disaster assistance without playing politics. The White House denies this, stating that it is committed to empowering state and local governments to invest in their own resilience before disasters strike.
The decision by Trump's administration raises concerns about the federal government's priorities in responding to natural disasters. As residents struggle to cope with the aftermath of the flooding, many are left wondering why they are being denied much-needed aid.
idk how ppl are coping rn its like FEMA is supposed 2 help people recover from disasters not hold back aid lol @ Trump for rejecting the request 
it seems like he's more worried about politics than actual ppl 
Illinois needs that money ASAP to fix homes, businesses & most importantly provide health care 4 all those affected 
Tammy Duckworth is a total boss calling out Trump on this one 
hope he changes his mind or else we're gonna see many more ppl suffer 
especially when you got families abandoned by their homes and stuff like that, i feel bad for those people gotta be some messed up politics going on here 
It's not just the financial loss, but also the health hazards from mold and contamination. And to think that FEMA rejected the state's request for $620 million in aid... it's like they're playing politics with people's lives. 
I wish Gov. Pritzker would keep pushing for that aid, and I hope he doesn't give up on it. We need to make sure those 438,000 Illinoisans get the help they need ASAP. 
And what really gets me is the health hazards that people are facing - mold and sewage contamination? That's just gross 
.
It's not like it's just the states that are in need of aid, but also the vulnerable populations who are going to be hit hardest. I FEEL FOR THE SINGLE MOM AND HER KIDS WHO HAD TO LEAVE THEIR HOME BECAUSE OF FLOODING! 
this is so harsh 
. The fact that there are 438k ppl affected and the state's request was rejected is just crazy 
. I get that some ppl might be playing politics 
, but it's not right to deny aid when people need it most 
It's not like these states didn't warn them about the floods 
... anyway, I hope the president reconsiders 
.
and stop worrying about mold & health issues 
Trump's admin is playing politics over people's lives 
I don't get it why they can't just help where they're needed most 
and now they're being left in the dark 
Sen Duckworth is speaking truth to power 
. I don't get why Trump's administration is being so stingy about disaster aid – isn't that what FEMA is for? To help people recover and rebuild after a tragedy? It seems like they're just playing politics with people's lives 
. What's next, denying food stamps to those in need? 
I just can't believe the admin is rejecting this massive flood aid for Illinois! 
The fact that they're denying aid to economically vulnerable families who are struggling with health hazards is just plain cruel. 