Disaster relief loans available for small businesses, nonprofits and homeowners affected by July 27 storms, tornadoes

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a disaster declaration for the severe storms and tornadoes that struck the Chicago region on July 27.

This declaration allows homeowners, renters, businesses and certain nonprofit organizations to apply for low-interest loans to help cover losses not fully covered by insurance.

The disaster declaration covers Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, as well as Lake County, Indiana. It also makes several SBA disaster loan programs available, including Business Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and Home Disaster Loans, depending on the applicant’s eligibility.

Residents and businesses can apply online through the SBA’s Disaster Loan Assistance website or in person at the following locations. Both locations will be closed on Sept. 7 for Labor Day:

• Aug. 21 to Sept. 8: Hazel Crest Village Hall, 3601 W. 183rd Street, Hazel Crest; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

• Aug. 21 to Sept. 8: University Park Town Center, 90 Town Center Drive, University Park; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Additional information on eligibility, loan and credit requirements, interest rates, restrictions on loan eligibility, and mitigation improvements is available via the SBA Fact Sheet or by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Applications for physical property damage are due Oct. 19, while economic injury applications are due May 18, 2027.

Residents seeking additional assistance or resources can contact 211 DuPage by calling 211 or visiting 211DuPage.gov.