Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill on Friday that allows more Chicago homeowners to access financial relief for flood damage locally while many communities in the state cleaned up from damaging storms.
Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3925, which allows home equity assurance programs to establish a temporary three-year rebate program that certain Chicago homeowners can tap into to repair flood damage. The state law says municipalities must have at least 1 million residents to create such a district, meaning only Chicago qualifies.
There are two such programs within the city — one known as the Northwest Home Equity Program, the other the Southwest Home Equity Program — that are created by state law but governed by local commissions and funded by special property taxes levied within the districts.
Eligible homeowners who live within the districts can apply to be reimbursed for half of their flood remediation costs up to $1,000.
The legislation was passed in response to significant flooding on the Southwest Side of Chicago last summer. The federal government denied Illinois’ request for disaster assistance following the event, leaving many homeowners short on financial resources.
“The Trump administration turned their back,” Pritzker said at a news conference in Chicago before signing the bill. “Relief for Illinois families whose homes were damaged by severe storms, crucial assistance that could have helped them rebuild their homes and their lives, was denied.”
Pritzker characterized the legislation as the latest example of the state trying to fill gaps while federal programs, ranging from disaster relief to food and healthcare assistance, are reduced. The governor said he hopes financial help from home equity assurance programs will provide residents short-term money to make repairs and long-term financial “breathing room.”
“On your worst day, when the rain’s falling and everyone has that anxiety and apprehension, that’s exactly the time government needs to show up,” Sen. Mike Porfirio, D-La Grange, said. “That’s exactly the time government needs to show people that they care, that they get it, that they’re going to bring them real relief.”
Pritzker signed the bill as communities across the state deal with another round of severe storms that have brought tornadoes, wind damage and flooding. It’s the latest in a long list of damaging weather events in Illinois this year and the state has now recorded more than 200 tornadoes in 2026. Only Texas, with a significantly larger landmass, has recorded that many in one year.
On Aug. 11, a storm brought tornadoes and wind gusts approaching 100 mph to southern Cook County and Will County, according to the National Weather Service. Many of those same communities were slammed by tornadoes and high winds on July 27 and were still recovering.
Pritzker toured storm damage in Lansing on Friday afternoon where tree limbs were still scattered throughout the community, and some areas remained without power.
More storms on Thursday brought significant wind damage to McLean County, where the Normal Fire Department said it set a new record for most calls during a 24-hour shift. And Friday as Pritzker signed the bill, many communities in central Illinois reported flooding from another round of storms.