Trump Denies Disaster Relief for Illinois

State's appeal for summer storm assistance rejected, Pritzker calls it 'politically motivated'

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Trump administration has officially denied an appeal from the state of Illinois requesting disaster relief funds for summer storms last year that affected 438,000 residents in five Illinois counties. Governor JB Pritzker had requested authorization of FEMA's individual assistance for affected counties, as well as disaster loan programs to help Illinoisans after a multiday storm in August 2025. Pritzker has called the denial 'a politically motivated decision that punishes thousands of Illinois families in a critical moment of need'.

Why it matters

The denial of disaster relief funds is a significant blow to Illinois residents still dealing with the aftermath of last summer's severe storms. It raises concerns about the politicization of federal disaster aid and whether certain states are being unfairly denied assistance compared to others where Trump performed better politically.

The details

In October 2025, Trump approved major disaster declarations for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, touting his electoral victories in those states. This led Pritzker to accuse the Trump administration of making a 'politically motivated decision' in denying relief for Illinois.

  • The storms occurred August 16-19, 2025.
  • Pritzker requested disaster assistance in October 2025.
  • Trump denied Illinois' appeal in February 2026.

The players

JB Pritzker

The governor of Illinois who requested federal disaster assistance for his state.

Donald Trump

The former president who denied Illinois' request for disaster relief funds.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The governor has vowed to continue appealing the decision, raising the possibility of a legal battle over the denial of disaster aid.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing partisan divide over federal disaster relief, with the Trump administration appearing to favor states that supported him politically over those that did not. It raises questions about the fairness and impartiality of the disaster aid process and whether it should be subject to greater oversight and accountability.