Gov. JB Pritzker has extended an emergency proclamation for Illinois during severe weather over the summer while also requesting federal funds to help with recovery.Pritzker signed a follow-up disaster proclamation extending for another 30 days the one signed on Aug. 18 that frees up more state fund s and resources for those impacted by weeks of flooding, tornadoes, and other severe weather. It also expedites the contract and procurement process for local governments to help speed recovery efforts.The governor remained confident the request for federal money would be granted despite a failed attempt by the Trump administration to block $2 billion in disaster relief funding over the state’s sanctuary policies last year.“Given the scale and severity of destruction in communities across our state, I fully expect our request for FEMA aid to be granted,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Illinoisans are incredibly resilient, but our state should not have to face this recovery alone.” Related Pritzker signs disaster proclamation to aid recovery after months of ‘relentless and unprecedented’ storms Illinois, 20 other states win suit on disaster relief funding held up by Trump over ‘sanctuary’ laws Why have more than 200 tornadoes hit Illinois this year? Due to the earlier proclamation, state agencies have been assisting with damage assessments, debris cleanup, power restoration, and mutual aid in several counties, according to the statement.But if the federal appeal for money is granted, it would open up temporary housing and home repair grants, low-cost loans for uninsured property damage, and “other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of this severe weather.”That request would apply to residents of the following counties related to that day’s storms: Champaign County, Aug. 13; Cook County, Aug.11; Ford County, Aug. 14-15; Fulton County, Aug. 13-15; McLean County, Aug. 13; Tazewell County, Aug. 13-15; Vermilion County, Aug. 13-15; and Will County, Aug. 11.Federal assistance is already available for some who bore the brunt of the storm.Smaller and rural communities can qualify for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Response program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It offers up to $250,000 for local governments affected by the disaster, according to Pritzker’s office. Residents have six months from the day of the original declaration last month to apply for assistance.It comes months after he made a similar declaration following rounds of severe storms in April and June. More than 200 tornadoes have ravaged the state this year. ...read more read less