Kankakee County extends disaster declaration; SBA opens local help centers as recovery continues
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Summary
The county board extended a disaster declaration for 30 days to preserve recovery resources after the March 10 tornado and heard the Small Business Administration outline three local disaster loan outreach centers and application deadlines for homeowners, renters and nonprofits.
Kankakee County’s Board voted April 14 to extend its disaster declaration for 30 days, a move officials said is intended to preserve access to recovery resources for residents affected by the March 10 EF‑3 tornado.
The extension, effective April 22, was explained by county staff as necessary to ensure the county can request and receive any state or federal resources that remain available during the recovery period. The board carried the proclamation after a roll‑call vote.
Why it matters: County officials and residents told the board recovery work is ongoing in neighborhoods left heavily damaged by the storm. Public commenter LaDonna Russell, who identified herself as a tornado victim living on Elma Drive in Aroma Township, said, “My house is not livable,” and thanked county crews and law enforcement for debris removal and neighborhood security while urging continued pickup and support for rebuilding.
The Small Business Administration’s public affairs specialist, introduced to the board at the meeting, said SBA has opened three Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) in Kankakee County — at the railroad depot, Aroma Park village hall and a space at Northfield Square Mall in Bradley — to provide in‑person assistance and that the physical‑damage application deadline is June 8. The SBA representative said homeowners, renters and private nonprofits are eligible for SBA disaster loans and noted that, in many cases, homeowners and renters may be eligible for help with physical damage and personal property losses; she emphasized that payments are deferred for 12 months in many cases to give survivors time to recover.
Board members pressed the SBA representative on outreach to older or disabled residents who cannot visit DLOCs; the SBA official said the agency maintains an 800 number and an email address (disastercustomerservice@sba.gov) and encouraged community advocates to help affected residents navigate the online portal and application process.
The board’s action extends existing emergency declarations under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act and local ordinance. County leaders said the extra time helps preserve eligibility to request services, funds and technical assistance needed for cleanup, temporary housing and infrastructure repairs.
What’s next: County staff said they will continue to publicize SBA outreach hours and will work with local media and municipal offices to reach residents who need assistance.
