Joyce Announces Disaster Assistance for Cook and Will County Residents Hit by Summer Storms (Kankakee, IL) – State Sen. Patrick Joyce is urging Cook and Will County residents and businesses affected by severe summer storms to take advantage of available disaster assistance, including federal low-interest loans and potential relief from Illinois tax penalties and interest.
Joyce, D-Essex, said recovery resources are available through the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Revenue as communities continue recovering from storm damage.
“One of the most important aspects with assistance like this is making sure residents and businesses know it is there to be used,” Joyce said. “There’s still much more left to do in terms of recovery and attaining relief assistance, and I will keep working to get us there.”
Residents seeking a waiver of tax penalties and interest are asked to submit a brief written explanation to the Illinois Department of Revenue explaining why they are unable to file or pay their taxes on time.
Requests should include the taxpayer’s full name, account number — or only the last four digits if a Social Security number is being used — mailing address and an estimated date when the taxpayer expects to be able to file or pay.
Requests may be submitted electronically to REV.DisasterRelief@Illinois.gov or mailed using the address listed on the tax return. Taxpayers submitting requests by mail should write “Severe Storms – Summer 2026” in red ink at the top of the return and include an explanation requesting the abatement of penalties and interest.
Residents whose property was damaged are also encouraged to contact their county supervisor of assessments if they wish to seek a reassessment.
Cook and Will County residents may additionally be eligible for the SBA’s long-term, low-interest disaster loan programs.
Business Physical Disaster Loans are available to help businesses repair or replace disaster-damaged property, including real estate, inventory, supplies, machinery and equipment. Applications for those loans must be submitted by Oct. 19, 2026.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations for working capital and ordinary financial obligations that cannot be met because of the disaster. The application deadline for those loans is May 18, 2027.
Home Disaster Loans are available to homeowners and renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. Applications are due Oct. 19, 2026.
Applicants can obtain additional information or apply for SBA disaster assistance through the agency’s disaster assistance resources or by calling the SBA Customer Service line at 800-659-2955.
Residents can also seek in-person recovery support through Multi-Agency Resource Centers, which provide access to assistance and information from multiple organizations involved in storm recovery efforts.
Joyce Announces Disaster Assistance for Cook and Will County Residents Hit by Summer Storms
