More federal flood help comes, but not for Cook County
Local governments in some suburban counties will be eligible for federal money to cover most of their flooding costs after the federal government approved Thursday, but Cook County wasn’t among them.
The declaration covers DuPage, Kendall, Lake and McHenry Counties, where governments can recoup as much as 75 percent of their flooding expenses.
Gov. Pat Quinn’s office said expenses in Cook County reached $9.3 million, short of the $17.9 million in damage needed for the county to qualify for assistance. Counties have to show $3.45 in damage per person to get help.
Quinn’s office says he’ll keep working to try to get federal help for Cook County.
Last month, Obama OK’d grants and low-interest loans for individuals and businesses hit hard in the April floods. The floods closed down roads and schools throughout the area.
“Thousands of Illinois residents have been significantly impacted by this natural disaster, and this important assistance will help our communities as they work to recover,” Quinn said in a statement.