Chicago City Wire

The City of Chicago, along with Cook County and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), announced plans to appeal the denial of a Presidential Disaster Declaration request. The original request, submitted by Governor JB Pritzker, sought federal assistance following severe flooding that affected several Illinois communities between July 25-28 and August 16-19, 2025.

The flooding led to significant property damage, power outages, and disruptions to transportation and essential services. Many homes, businesses, utilities, and local governments were affected across the region.

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments were carried out in July and August by teams from local, county, state, and federal agencies. The assessments covered areas including the City of Chicago, City of Aurora, as well as Cook, Will, Boone, McHenry, Kane, Jersey, and Calhoun counties.

To support the appeal process for federal aid, additional virtual and in-person assessments are scheduled for November 4-7. These efforts aim to collect updated documentation that could strengthen Illinois' case for disaster assistance. Residents and business owners in affected areas are being asked to submit new or previously unreported information about damages or ongoing needs. Requested information includes photos of damage; documentation related to alternative housing; reports on illness or health impacts; mold remediation efforts; and details regarding replacement of major appliances such as furnaces or water heaters.

Residents can provide this data through a Residential Self-Assessment Survey available online starting Wednesday, October 29 at 8 a.m., accessible at https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/recovery. The deadline for submissions is November 7.

Those who have not yet reported their damages are encouraged to participate in the survey before the deadline.

For more details on emergency preparedness resources from Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC), residents can visit Chicago.gov/OEMC or follow OEMC on Facebook (@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).