Governor JB Pritzker has issued a state disaster proclamation for several Illinois counties following months of severe weather, including two counties in Central Illinois.

The proclamation was issued Tuesday and includes Coles and Effingham Counties. The move is designed to help speed up recovery efforts by making state resources more accessible to communities impacted by severe storms.

Governor Pritzker said he signed the disaster proclamation to provide state relief and support for residents, businesses, and communities working to recover from the damage.

Governor Pritzker said Illinois has faced unprecedented severe weather this year and that the state remains committed to supporting those affected as they rebuild. The governor also noted that as communities recover, the state continues to remember the lives lost during these storms and is keeping their families and loved ones in mind.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), continues supporting response and recovery efforts in the impacted counties. Officials say the proclamation will help make it easier for small and rural communities to receive assistance. It also allows eligible local governments to apply for funding through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Response program through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DECO).

Through the program, local governments could receive up to 250-thousand dollars to help cover costs related to cleanup, debris removal, and repairs to damaged public infrastructure. The disaster proclamation also allows the state to more easily deploy personnel and equipment to assist communities during the recovery process.

To learn more about this proclamation, visit gov.illinois.gov and click on “Newsroom.”

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