Cook County is accepting applications from suburban municipalities seeking reimbursement for costs tied to severe storms that hit the region in June and July.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) announced the Disaster Response and Recovery Fund (DRRF) Public Assistance Program on Nov. 12, according to a county news release. The program covers expenses from the June 10-11 and July 27 storm systems.
Those storms brought damaging winds, torrential rain, flash flooding and confirmed tornadoes to portions of Cook County. National Weather Service storm reports documented downed trees and power lines across dozens of suburban communities on both dates, including Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Palatine and Rolling Meadows on June 10. The July 27 storms produced hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter and spawned an EF-1 tornado that struck Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest and Homewood with peak winds of 110 mph, according to NWS survey data.
Preckwinkle issued a county-level disaster declaration for the July 27 event, according to the county release. A statewide disaster proclamation was also issued.
"Local governments are always on the front lines of disaster response and recovery, and the financial burden of these events can place significant strain on municipal resources," Preckwinkle said in the announcement.
The program will reimburse eligible local governments for qualifying expenses related to storm response, recovery and emergency operations, according to the county. Eligible applicants include suburban Cook County municipalities and other local units of government such as school districts, townships and park districts, according to the DRRF program page.
Covered expense categories include debris removal on public property, emergency protective measures such as sandbagging and emergency pumping, road and bridge repairs, water control facility restoration, building and equipment repairs, utility system restoration, and parks and recreation facility work. Only overtime labor costs qualify for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Insurance proceeds must be deducted from total damage costs in several categories.
Applicants must document that their expenses are tied to the qualifying storms and provide invoices, receipts, vendor contracts, damage assessments and records of any other funding received for the same costs. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding, and awards depend on eligible costs and available funding, the county said.
Alex Joves, executive director of EMRS, said in the announcement that the department "will always work alongside our municipalities to build more resilient communities."
Applications are due Friday, Dec. 11. The county’s announcement and application instructions specify 11:59 p.m., although the program timeline lists 5 p.m. Applicants should confirm the cutoff with EMRS.
