Supporting Communities. Strengthening Recovery.
Cook County is committed to helping communities recover from the impacts of recent severe storms. Through the Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund (DRRF), the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) is providing financial assistance to eligible municipalities and local units of government to help offset costs associated with storm response, cleanup and recovery.
The program is designed to help local governments address eligible storm-related expenses, support recovery efforts and restore essential community services. By working together, Cook County and its municipal partners can help communities recover and build resilience against future emergencies.
Current Round of Qualifying Storm Event(s) (QSE)
- June 10-11, 2026
- July 27, 2026
On the aforementioned dates, Cook County, Illinois experienced multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms and straight-line winds, torrential rainfall and confirmed tornadoes resulting in localized flash flooding, downed trees and power lines, structural damage, transportation disruptions and extensive utility outages across numerous municipalities.
Note: Local unis of government should fill out a form/workbook for each qualifying storm event.
The program is intended to support eligible local units of government that incurred qualifying expenses because of the recent severe storms. Eligible applicants may include:
- Municipalities: Suburban Cook County municipalities affected by the qualifying storm events.
- Other Local Units of Government: such as school districts, townships, and park districts.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for assistance, applicants must:
- Be an eligible municipality or approved local unit of government.
- Demonstrate that the expenses for which assistance is requested are associated with the qualifying storm event(s). (Costs should be directly associated with qualifying storm response, debris removal, cleanup, emergency protective measures or other approved recovery activities.)
- Provide documentation supporting the expenses and the need for reimbursement or financial assistance.
- Meet all applicable program requirements and submission deadlines.
Eligibility is subject to review and approval by Cook County. Awards will be made based upon eligible costs and available funding. Application submission does not guarantee funding.
*Please note: Duplicate funding must be disclosed. Applicants must identify other funding sources or reimbursements associated with the same expenses, as required by the program.
Timeline
| Application Opens | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 9 a.m. | Application portal opens and applications may be submitted. |
| Technical Assistance - Two (2) options - | Technical Assistance Session 1: Monday, November 16, 2026 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Technical Assistance Session 2: Thursday, December 3, 2026 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. | Applicants may sign up for scheduled technical assistance sessions during the application period. |
| Application Submission Deadline | Friday, December 11, 2026 at 5 p.m. | All applications must be submitted by the deadline. |
| Award Determinations | by January 31, 2027 | Applicants will be notified of award determinations. |
Step 1: Review the Program Guidelines
Before beginning an application, review the program guidelines to understand eligibility requirements, allowable expenses, required documentation and application deadlines.
Step 2: Gather Supporting Documentation
Applicants should prepare documentation demonstrating the storm-related impacts and costs for which assistance is being requested. Depending on the nature of the request, this may include:
- Completed applicant workbook for each storm event
DOWNLOAD JUNE WORKBOOK | DOWNLOAD JULY WORKBOOK - An itemized summary of storm-related expenses
- Invoices, receipts, vendor contracts and payment records
- Labor, equipment and operational cost records.
- Photographs, damage assessments or other evidence of storm-related impacts.
- Documentation of other funding, reimbursements or insurance payments received or anticipated for the same expenses.
- Additional information requested by Cook County.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
Complete the online form and provide all requested information about your organization, the qualifying storm impacts and the expenses for which assistance is being requested.
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION FOR JUNE
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION FOR JULY
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Submit the completed application form and supporting documentation including applicant workbook(s) and backup expense documentation through the designated application portal by Friday, December 11, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Applicants should retain a copy of their submission and any confirmation received.
Step 5: Await Review and Determination
Cook County will review applications for completeness, eligibility and compliance with program requirements. Applicants may be contacted if additional documentation or clarification is needed.
Applicants will be notified regarding the status of their requests and any subsequent steps. Applying does not guarantee approval or an award of funding.
Assistance may be available for eligible, documented expenses incurred in responding to and recovering from the qualifying storm events. Potential expense categories may include:
Category A - Debris Removal (on public property only)
- Overtime labor costs for debris removal operations (regular time labor costs not eligible)
- Equipment (force account or rented) costs for debris removal operations
- Contract costs for debris removal (contract must be in writing)
Category B - Emergency Protective Measures
- Overtime labor costs for sandbagging, emergency pumping, security, search and rescue, mass care, etc. (regular time labor costs not eligible)
- Equipment (force account or rented) costs for emergency protective measures (e.g. hauling/placing sandbags, emergency pumping, police/fire vehicles; regular and overtime costs; use IDOT or FEMA rates).
- Material costs (sandbags, sand, plastic, gravel, food for workers, misc. supplies).
- Contract costs for emergency protective measures (contract must be in writing)
Category C - Road and Bridge Systems
- Regular and overtime labor costs for the permanent restoration of roads, bridges, culverts, etc. (force account)
- Equipment (force account or rented) costs for the permanent restoration of roads, bridges, culverts, etc. (regular and overtime costs; use IDOT or FEMA rates)
- Material costs for the permanent restoration of roads, bridges, culverts, etc.
- Contract costs for the permanent restoration of roads, bridges, culverts, etc. (contract must be in writing).
- Note: Only road systems not on the Federal Aid System (FAS) are eligible for permanent repairs. Permanent repairs on FAS road systems are under the authority of the Federal Highway Administration.
Category D - Water Control Facilities (only facilities built specifically for flood control)
- Regular and overtime labor costs for the permanent restoration of channel or reservoir capacity (force account).
- Equipment (force account or rented) costs for the permanent restoration of channel or reservoir capacity (regular and overtime costs; use IDOT or FEMA rates)
- Material costs for the permanent restoration of channel or reservoir capacity
- Contract costs for the permanent restoration of channel or reservoir capacity (contract must be in writing). Note: The US Army Corps of Engineers and Natural Resources Conservation Service have statutory authority for the repair of flood control
Category E - Buildings and Equipment
- Regular and overtime labor costs for the permanent restoration of buildings and equipment (force account).
- Equipment (force account or rented) costs for the permanent restoration of buildings and equipment (regular and overtime costs; use IDOT or FEMA rates)
- Material costs for the permanent restoration of buildings and equipment
- Contract costs for the permanent restoration of buildings and equipment (contract must be in writing). Note: Insurance proceeds must be deducted from total damage costs
Category F – Utility Systems
- Regular and overtime labor costs for the permanent restoration of water treatment plants and delivery systems, power generation and distribution systems and sewage collection and treatment systems (force account)
- Equipment (force account or rented) costs for the permanent restoration of water treatment plants and delivery systems, power generation and distribution systems and sewage collection and treatment systems (regular and overtime costs; use IDOT or FEMA rates)
- Material costs for the permanent restoration of water treatment plants and delivery systems, power generation and distribution systems and sewage collection and treatment systems
- Contract costs for the permanent restoration of water treatment plants and delivery systems, power generation and distribution systems and sewage collection and treatment systems (contract must be in writing)
- Note: Insurance proceeds must be deducted from total damage costs.
Category G - Parks, Recreational and Other
- Regular and overtime labor costs for the permanent restoration of parks, recreational areas and other types of facilities (force account)
- Equipment (force account or rented) costs for the permanent restoration of parks, recreational areas and other types of facilities (regular and overtime costs; use IDOT or FEMA rates)
- Material costs for the permanent restoration of parks, recreational areas and other types of facilities
- Contract costs for the permanent restoration of parks, recreational areas and other types of facilities (contract must be in writing)
- Note: Insurance proceeds must be deducted from total damage costs.
You can also download this list of categories by clicking on the linked .PDF file below.
Final eligibility will depend on the program's approved expense categories, documentation requirements and funding availability. Applicants should not assume that an expense qualifies solely because it was incurred during the storm response.
Need Technical Assistance?
EMRS is committed to helping eligible municipalities and partners navigate the application process.
See the options below to sign up for technical assistance sessions for help filling out your workbook.
Technical Assistance Session #1: Monday, November 16, 2026 - 11 a.m.
Technical Assistance Session #2: December 3, 2026 - 1 p.m.
Working Together for a Stronger Recovery
County remains committed to working alongside municipalities and local units of government to help communities address storm-related impacts and move forward.
Through this program, the County aims to provide eligible local units of governments with additional support as they continue the work of restoring services, protecting residents and strengthening community resilience. Recovery from severe storms takes coordination, resources and partnership.