Durbin and Duckworth Reintroduce Bill to Reform Federal Disaster Relief Process

Senators aim to address FEMA's subjective and uncertain disaster declaration criteria.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth have reintroduced a bill in Congress to reform how federal disaster relief is determined, after FEMA denied relief to Illinois following severe storm damage last year. The Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act would give FEMA a clearer, more substantive formula when evaluating disaster areas, assigning specific weights to the factors it already uses and adding other economic factors for the agency to consider.

Why it matters

The current FEMA process for determining disaster assistance is highly subjective, leaving states and communities in limbo for weeks as their applications are considered. This has led to instances where Illinois has struggled to receive adequate federal aid after severe weather strikes, even as the Trump administration has been accused of targeting blue states.

The details

Durbin and Duckworth reintroduced the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declaration Act, which was first introduced in 2012, after FEMA denied federal assistance to Harrisburg and Ridgeway, Illinois, following a devastating outbreak of storms and tornadoes. This year, the Trump administration also rejected Illinois' appeal for a federal major disaster declaration following severe storms in August 2025, blocking federal assistance for residents in several counties.

  • In 2012, the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declaration Act was first introduced.
  • In 2025, FEMA denied federal assistance to Harrisburg and Ridgeway, Illinois, following severe storms and tornadoes.
  • In August 2025, the Trump administration rejected Illinois' appeal for a federal major disaster declaration following severe storms.

The players

Dick Durbin

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Illinois who has reintroduced the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declaration Act.

Tammy Duckworth

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Illinois who has reintroduced the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declaration Act.

JB Pritzker

The Governor of Illinois who sharply criticized FEMA's decision to deny federal assistance following the August 2025 severe storms.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President whose administration rejected Illinois' appeal for a federal major disaster declaration following the August 2025 severe storms.

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency that determines federal disaster relief, which has been criticized for its subjective and uncertain process.

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What they’re saying

“Illinois often struggles to receive adequate aid from the federal government after severe weather strikes a community, causing serious damage. We must fix the broken metrics FEMA uses to determine disaster assistance and increase fairness in the process. As the Trump Administration continues to target blue states, Illinois taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the entire bill when disasters strike.”

— Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator (mystateline.com)

“As Americans, it's our responsibility to support one another in times of need, especially when our communities are devastated by disasters and severe weather. Instead, the Trump Administration keeps putting politics ahead of people—denying critical assistance and resources communities need to rebuild and recover, including right here in Illinois. Disasters don't discriminate against communities based on what state they live in or who they vote for—and neither should FEMA. This legislation will make much-needed reforms so Illinoisans in every corner of the state can receive the resources and support they deserve after severe weather strikes.”

— Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Senator (mystateline.com)

“a politically motivated decision that punishes thousands of Illinois families.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (mystateline.com)

What’s next

The Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act will now be considered by Congress, where Durbin and Duckworth hope to gain bipartisan support to reform FEMA's disaster relief process.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to bring more transparency, objectivity, and fairness to FEMA's disaster declaration criteria, ensuring that communities across Illinois and the country receive the federal assistance they need after severe weather events, regardless of political affiliation.