SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker today announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved the state’s request for assistance to help people and businesses in northern Illinois. The declaration stems from a storm system that moved through parts of Will and Cook counties on June 26 and resulted in torrential rain and severe flash flooding. The approved SBA disaster declaration makes low-interest loans available to homeowners, renters and businesses in Will and Cook counties, as well as the contiguous counties of Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Grundy and Kankakee in Illinois and Lake County, Indiana.
SBA loans can help repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters can apply for loans to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and private non-profit organizations can apply for loans to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
“For weeks, residents in Will and Cook County have battled the remnants of a storm that brought dangerous flash flooding to their neighborhoods, disrupting the lives of residents and impacting local businesses,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The loans being offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration will help residents with repairs and other losses associated with this storm. My administration is committed to helping all of our communities recover and rebuild from this summer’s historic storms.”
A recent assessment revealed damage to more than 200 homes and 14 business. In all, that survey estimate shows more than $3.6 million dollars in residential and commercial losses due to this weather event.
“Access to these loans will make a meaningful impact for residents who were affected by the devastating flooding in Steger and surrounding communities,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “I am grateful to the dedicated team at Cook County’s DHSEM along with their counterparts in Will County and IEMA for collaborating to find relief for our residents. It’s a wonderful example of what we can accomplish when we work together.”
“We are appreciative that the SBA is able to provide this type of assistance to the residents. We hope that this will assist the community in moving forward and recovering from their loss,” said Harold Damron, Will County Emergency Management Director.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 25, 2019. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 26, 2020. Any individual or business needing additional information, or wishing to apply for a loan, should contact the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.
A Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) will be set up to provide additional information and loan assistance at Steger Community Center, located at 3501 Hopkins, Steger, IL. SBA representatives will be set up in the Student Conference Center, Room H-209. The hours of operation will be as follows:
Tuesday, October 1 11:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday, October 2 9:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday, October 3 9:00am – 6:00pm
Friday, October 4
9:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday, October 5 10:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday, October 6 Closed
Monday, October 7 9:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday, October 8 9:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday, October 9 9:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday, October 10 9:00am – 6:00pm
Friday, October 11 9:00am
– 6:00pm
Saturday, October 12 10:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday, October 13 Closed
Monday, October 14 9:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday, October 15 9:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday, October 16 9:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday, October 17 9:00am – 4:00pm
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
