> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizengrit.news/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# DeLuca files bill to repay towns for storm cleanup costs
- URL: https://www.citizengrit.news/deluca-files-bill-to-repay-towns-for-cook-storm-cleanup-costs/
- Published: 2026-10-13T20:07:58.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-13T20:07:58.000Z
- Description: State Rep. Anthony DeLuca filed a bill to repay Cook County towns and other local governments for storm recovery from the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
- Author: Erika Hobbs
- Tags: Disaster aid

A bill filed in Springfield would reimburse Cook County communities for the cost of summer storm recovery.

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, a Democrat from Chicago Heights, announced his new bill Tuesday.

“Many local communities have shouldered the burden of these initial emergency expenses,” DeLuca said in a statement. “I believe the state has a responsibility to assist impacted areas.”

House Bill 5819, filed Oct. 6, would direct the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security to award grants during fiscal years 2027 and 2028, subject to appropriation. 

Grants would go to local governments in 15 counties covered by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Aug. 18 disaster proclamation, including Cook County. The move comes less than a week after the Trump administration denied Illinois’ request for federal disaster aid.

The grants are intended to repay towns for work such as rebuilding, repairing essential services, sheltering residents, transportation, food, clothing, medical supplies and staffing.

The bill permits the agency to draw on the Budget Stabilization Fund, known as the Rainy Day Fund, up to the amount lawmakers appropriate in each of those two years. The Illinois Comptroller lists the fund’s balance at $2.57 billion.

To qualify, a town would document its costs with invoices, link the damage to the August storms and show the money serves a public purpose. The agency would write rules that rank the applications.

South suburban towns have reported costs near or above $1 million. Steger estimated storm damage and recovery costs so far at just more than [$1 million. ](https://citizenportal.ai/articles/10126266/illinois/will-county/steger/steger-estimates-109-million-in-storm-damage-seeks-roughly-766260-from-fema?ref=citizengrit.news)Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson said the [village’s cleanup ](https://www.hfchronicle.com/2026/08/18/flossmoor-storm-cleanup-could-top-1-million-as-village-seeks-outside-aid/?ref=citizengrit.news)could exceed $1 million.

Cook County pledged $8 million for debris removal on Oct. 6.