Illinois Denied Federal Disaster Relief for 2025 Flooding

Governor Pritzker calls Trump administration's decision "politically motivated"

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Trump administration has denied Illinois' appeal for federal disaster assistance to help residents and communities affected by severe storms and flooding in the summer of 2025. Governor JB Pritzker condemned the decision as "politically motivated" and said it "punishes thousands of Illinois families in a critical moment of need."

Why it matters

The denial of federal disaster aid will make it more difficult for Illinois communities to recover from the extensive damage caused by the 2025 flooding, which displaced residents, left thousands without power, and caused widespread property damage. The decision highlights the Trump administration's tendency to approve disaster relief along partisan lines, rather than based on the actual needs of affected areas.

The details

In October 2025, the Trump administration denied Illinois' initial request for a federal disaster declaration, which would have unlocked federal assistance for five counties affected by the summer storms. The state appealed the denial in November, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency reaffirmed the decision on Saturday, stating that supplemental federal aid was not warranted. The denied assistance would have helped residents and local governments with recovery efforts.

  • In July and August 2025, severe storms caused extensive flooding in Illinois.
  • In October 2025, the Trump administration denied Illinois' initial request for federal disaster assistance.
  • On November 21, 2025, the state of Illinois appealed the denial.
  • On February 8, 2026, FEMA reaffirmed the decision to deny Illinois' appeal for federal disaster aid.

The players

JB Pritzker

The governor of Illinois, who condemned the Trump administration's decision as "politically motivated" and said it "punishes thousands of Illinois families in a critical moment of need."

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, whose administration denied Illinois' request for federal disaster assistance while approving aid for other states.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The federal agency that dispenses disaster aid and reaffirmed the decision to deny Illinois' appeal for federal assistance.

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What they’re saying

“Playing politics with disaster relief funding is a new low, even for the Trump Administration.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (Chicago Tribune)

“Ignoring the realities of widespread damage from the August 2025 severe storms speaks volumes about the federal government's vindictive priorities and complete disregard for American livelihoods.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (Chicago Tribune)

“Our communities suffered real and lasting harm, yet the federal government continues to turn its back when help is needed most. This is unacceptable and makes recovery harder for those who can least afford it.”

— Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The state of Illinois may consider further legal action or appeals to challenge the Trump administration's decision to deny federal disaster assistance.

The takeaway

The denial of federal aid for Illinois' 2025 flooding disaster highlights the Trump administration's tendency to make politically-motivated decisions about disaster relief, rather than basing them on the actual needs of affected communities. This could set a concerning precedent for how the federal government responds to future natural disasters.