November 22, 2025
Illinois governor alleges political retaliation as GOP states with similar storm damage receive federal aid
On Nov. 22, 2025, the Trump administration denied Illinois'' request for FEMA disaster relief for the second time, rejecting Governor J.B. Pritzker''s appeal of an earlier denial.
Illinois requested federal assistance for severe storms that caused over $450 million in damage across 15 counties in October 2025. FEMA said the damage didn''t meet federal thresholds despite state documentation.
Pritzker said Democratic-led states are being denied aid while Republican states with similar damage receive assistance.
On Nov. 22, 2025, the Trump administration denied Illinois' second request for FEMA disaster relief, rejecting Governor J.B. Pritzker's appeal. Illinois requested federal assistance for severe storms that struck 15 counties in October 2025, causing over $450 million in documented damage. The storms destroyed 847 homes, damaged 3,200 others, and caused 12 deaths.
Governor Pritzker held a Nov. 22 press conference saying Democratic-led states like Illinois, California, and New York face denials while Republican states get approved. He called it politically driven retaliation. FEMA Administrator Karen Evans said decisions are based solely on damage assessments, not politics.
Governor of Illinois
FEMA Administrator