President Biden has approved Governor Pritzker’s Disaster Declaration to help in recovery from severe weather including the widespread damage done by the derecho on June 29th. Tuesday’s approval unlocks Federal Individual Assistance that could include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs.

Meanwhile, USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack issued a disaster declaration Tuesday including Fulton, Mason and Tazewell counties for crops affected by drought this growing season. Contiguous counties including Cass, Logan, and Menard are eligible for the same assistance. Farmers have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for emergency loans.