Earlier this year in August, our City suffered extensive damage as a result of a series of severe storms that passed through Illinois. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), along with several other City departments, responded both during the extreme weather itself and after it subsided. In the days that followed the event, the City worked to document the extent of the damage and the resources expended in our response. This information was subsequently shared with our federal partners, and as a result, several Illinois counties, including Cook, were declared federal disaster areas.
On Friday, November 16, 2007, the Governor's office announced that a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration for Cook County had been granted. This means that homeowners can apply for loans of up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. In addition, businesses and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
Representatives from the SBA will be available to accept and process loan applications through Thursday, December 13, 2007. They will be at the Chicago Park District - Eckhart Park, 1330 West Chicago Avenue, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. For individuals not able to apply in person, they may obtain information and loan applications by calling toll free (800) 659-2955; hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339.
Issues 