December 9, 2024
Cook County Announces $2.5 Million for Disaster Response and Recovery Fund for Municipalities Impacted by July 2024 Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has made $2.5 million in funding available through the Cook County Disaster Response and Recovery Fund for suburban Cook County municipalities impacted by the severe storms and tornadoes on July 14 - 15.
Impacted municipalities across suburban Cook County are encouraged to apply for reimbursement to help cover eligible expenses incurred as part of their disaster response and recovery efforts. This funding is part of Cook County’s commitment to ensuring that local communities can recover from unforeseen disasters.
If municipalities have additional questions, visit the Frequently Asked Questions or email: EMRS.Finance@cookcountyil.gov.
Application
Application for July 2024 Reimbursement
Use of Funds and Eligible Expenses
Potential eligible expenses directly resulting from the July 14 - 15 storms: Eligible Categories*
*Documentation that expenses caused by July 2024 storms is required. Approval of reimbursement is at the discretion of the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security and is dependent on available funds.
Eligibility of Applicants
Only suburban Cook County municipal governments are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is Friday, January 17 at 5 p.m.
Technical Assistance Sessions
Technical Assistance sessions will be available virtually on Tuesday, January 7 at 10 a.m. and Monday, January 13 at 2 p.m. for municipal officials to ask questions about the application. Invitations for the sessions will be sent to all suburban municipalities.
Cook County Disaster Response and Recovery Fund Background
On November 16, 2023, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved the creation of the Cook County Disaster Response and Recovery Fund with an initial appropriation of $100 million in this special purpose fund. Expenditure of the Disaster Response and Recovery Fund is only permissible upon the designation of a declared disaster at the County, State, or Federal level.
In the case of a declared disaster, municipalities would be eligible to apply for emergency funding. The approval of any funds is at the discretion of the Chief Financial Officer and the Executive Director of the Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security.
To notify Cook County of an eligible ongoing disaster response, please contact us via email at duty.desk@cookcountyil.gov or via phone at our Duty Desk at 312-603-8185.