Governor JB Pritzker today issued a state disaster proclamation following months of severe weather and flooding that caused widespread damage across Illinois. Beginning in March and continuing through June, Illinois experienced record-breaking severe storms, tornadoes, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, hail, and straight-line winds. Illinois has led the nation in tornadoes this year, with approximately 173 tornadoes verified by the National Weather Service (NWS). This proclamation was issued prior to Governor Pritzker’s planned visits to Effingham and Jefferson Counties on Wednesday, July 1.
The proclamation covers communities impacted by severe weather across the following counties:
- Coles (June 17)
- Cook (June 10)
- Effingham (June 17)
- Jefferson (June 21)
- Kankakee (March 10)
- LaSalle (June 11)
- McLean (April 17-18)
- Stephenson (April 14 and April 17)
- Warren (June 17)
- Winnebago (April 17)
- Woodford (June 11)
These storms claimed lives and disrupted communities across Illinois. The proclamation ensures state resources can be directed to support local response efforts and assist communities with long-term recovery.
The severe storms and tornadoes damaged homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, caused prolonged power outages, and strained local response capabilities as communities continue to recover and rebuild.
The disaster proclamation makes additional state resources and personnel available to support response and recovery operations and can facilitate requests for state and federal disaster assistance. Governor Pritzker has also directed IEMA-OHS to continue coordinating with federal partners to evaluate available assistance and identify additional resources to help impacted communities recover and rebuild.
The disaster proclamation goes into effect immediately and can be viewed here.
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