Durbin, Kirk: SBA Makes Federal Relief Available for Illinois Small Businesses Impacted by Severe Summer Storms
[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) announced today that President Obama has issued a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Declaration for Grundy and Iroquois Counties, which will allow residents and businesses in the region severely impacted by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes earlier this summer to receive SBA loans. The President’s action will ensure that eligible homeowners, renters, and businesses have access to loans to help repair or replace disaster damaged real estate, personal property, machinery, equipment, inventory and business assets. The designation also includes the counties that surround for Grundy and Iroquois Counties: La Salle, Kendall, Will, Kankakee, Livingston, Ford, and Vermilion Counties.
“Today’s federal disaster declaration will give a helping hand to Illinoisans whose homes, businesses, or property were damaged due to extreme weather and forces outside their control,” Durbin said. “It may take some time to recover what they have lost, but we hope today’s decision will give Illinois families and business owners some relief knowing that federal help is available.”
“This disaster declaration will give much-needed help for those searching for relief after this summer’s record rainfall and violent weather. This will help Illinois families and businesses owners get back on their feet,” said Kirk.
In August, Durbin and Kirk were joined by the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation sending a letter to President Obama asking him to issue an SBA Disaster Declaration for Grundy and Iroquois Counties. The Illinois Congressional Delegation letter was sent in support of Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s request letter to President Obama, which cited reports from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency of 44 residences, 14 businesses and one non-profit organization in Grundy and Iroquois Counties that sustained major damage and had significant uninsured losses.
Members signing on to the letter of support include: U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-IL), U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL), U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL), U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL), U.S. Representative Robert Dold (R-IL), U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL), U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (R-IL), U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL), U.S. Representative Dan Lipinksi (D-IL), U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL), U.S. Representative Peter Roskam (R-IL), U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL), U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and U.S. Representative John Shimkus (R-IL).
The full text of the letter of support is copied below and available here.
August 27, 2015
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. President:
We write to support Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Declaration for Grundy and Iroquois Counties in Illinois, as a result of a string of severe storms that began on June 7, 2015, and continued through mid-July.
For more than six weeks, Illinois experienced severe weather events, including flooding and tornadoes, which occurred no more than 48-hours apart. Preliminary Damage Assessments have determined that in Grundy County, 36 residences and four businesses sustained major damage and had significant uninsured losses. In Iroquois County, 18 residences, ten businesses, and one non-profit organization sustained major damage and had significant uninsured losses. The economic impact on these communities as a result of businesses being destroyed is severe. The Governor seeks timely federal assistance from the SBA.
Governor Rauner has determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments. Supplementary federal assistance is necessary. We respectfully request that you issue an SBA Disaster Declaration for Grundy and Iroquois Counties and that the SBA disaster loans be offered to eligible individuals and businesses in the counties that are contiguous to Grundy and Iroquois Counties.
We thank you in advance for your timely consideration of this important request and stand ready to assist in any way appropriate.