Trump Administration Denies FEMA Disaster Relief for Illinois Again Despite Governor Pritzker's Appeal

The Trump administration rejected Illinois' second appeal for a major disaster declaration covering severe August 2025 storms that caused flooding, wind and hail damage in Boone, Cook, Kane, McHenry, and Will counties. FEMA had denied the first request in October; this second denial came after joint damage assessments and supplemental surveys in November. Governor JB Pritzker called the decision "politically motivated," noting that Vermont, Maryland, and Colorado — all with Democratic governors — also faced denials in 2025.