SBA Approves Tornado Assistance for Northern Illinois

People affected by April tornado eligible to apply for low-interest, long-term loans to help with recovery

SPRINGFIELD – Govepeople and businesses in DeKalb and eight other northern Illinois counties now are eligible to apply for low-interest, long-term loans from the U.S. Small Business  to help them recover from the April 9 tornado. The Governor also unveiled a $X million state assistance package to help people and local governments in DeKalb and Ogle counties recover from the devastating storm.

“The SBA declaration and our state assistance package will bring much-needed help to people and businesses still trying to recover from the tornado,” Gov. Rauner said. “While this disaster didn’t rise to the level needed to seek federal assistance through FEMA, we’re able to offer these programs to assist communities as they work toward recovery.”

On May 29, Governor Rauner submitted a request for SBA assistance after officials from the SBA, Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local officials surveyed damage and documented uninsured losses. That survey found 31 homes and seven businesses sustained major damages and had significant uninsured losses.

Anyone affected by the April 9 tornadoes in DeKalb County and the contiguous counties of Boone, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, McHenry, Ogle and Winnebago is now eligible to apply for a low-interest, long-term loan through the SBA.

The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) at the Kirkland Fire Department, 3891 IL Route 72 in Kirkland to assist people with questions and applications. The DLOC will open Tues., June 9.