(The Center Square) – After spending a day at the State Fair, Gov. J.B. Pritzker made his way back to the Chicagoland area Friday to tour damage in suburban communities from strong storms and tornadoes.
An opponent to Pritzker in the coming election called for him to help residents a day prior.
Strong storms swept through much of the Chicago Metropolitan area Tuesday, leaving behind damage from 100 mph and higher straight-line winds, flash floods and multiple tornadoes.
The National Weather Service’s Chicago office confirmed Wednesday that six tornadoes touched down in the area, including four EF-1 and one EF-2 strength tornadoes that touched down in the south suburbs.
Pritzker told The Center Square at the State Fair on Thursday he wasn’t planning to visit impacted communities so soon after the storms.
“What I try to do is stay out of the way while they’re doing both the immediate recovery as well as the storm damage assessment. But very much in touch with the local officials,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker changed course Friday and visited an impacted part of Lansing, Illinois, to view storm damage.
Pritzker laid some of the blame for a lack of long-term aid after storms at the feet of the federal government, but said state agencies are already on the ground assessing damage and helping residents.
“Congress and President Trump have defunded the Federal Emergency Management Agency and it has affected people all across the entire nation,” Pritzker said. “It hasn’t happened always that we’re not getting support. But more often it is that FEMA is just deciding not to support. So in that context next, we try to step up and do whatever we can.”
The storms and a few of the tornadoes crossed the border into Northwest Indiana.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun visited impacted areas and declared a statewide disaster emergency as a result of the storms others throughout the week that left areas in southern Indiana flooded.
Republican Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey appeared at his own campaign event Thursday to point to a lack of Pritzker’s presence.
Bailey called on President Donald Trump and Pritzker to work together to bring disaster relief to residents.
“I’m calling on Governor Pritzker and President Trump to put aside their differences and start working together to get relief for these families. Illinoisans should not be caught in the political crossfire simply because these two leaders cannot get along,” Bailey said.
Bailey said he thought Pritzker needed to sign an emergency declaration for the storms. Pritzker said Friday it wasn’t immediately important.
“The reason we don’t yet issue a disaster declaration is remember that is the kickoff when I do that. It’s the kickoff of our attempt to get federal money. That’s the signal. We take that document, that disaster declaration, and essentially present it to the federal government,” Pritzker said.
He noted that state agencies are responding immediately to assist after storms and will gather more information to make their case to FEMA for federal aid.
Pritzker also signed a law aimed at providing more state relief to homeowners who experience flood damage before his storm damage visit.
“When Illinois’ working families needed help last year, help that state government requested on their behalf, help that historically the federal government provides. The Trump administration turned their back,” Pritzker said before signing the bill.
The law will make available a one-time rebate for 50% of the cost of home repairs as a result of flood damage, up to $1,000.
