All Resources Legal Advocate Network

September 2023

Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding: September DR-4749

Page last updated: 01/10/2024

On this Page:

Overview Important Deadlines FEMA Assistance Safety and Shelter Resources Legal Assistance News & Information

This page is for the severe flooding that occurred in September 2023. For the previous flooding disaster that happened in June 2023, please visit this page instead.

Overview

Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4749)

The state of Illinois was hit by severe storms and flooding from September 17th, 2023, through September 18th, 2023. On November 20, 2023, President Biden declared a major disaster.

People in the following county are eligible to receive federal disaster assistance:

  • Cook

For the complete whitehouse.gov press release, please click here.

Important Deadlines

FEMA Application Deadline

Friday, February 9, 2024

More Info

Appeal your FEMA decision letter

Within 60 days of the date on the determination letter.

Apply for Disaster Unemployment

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

More Info

FEMA Assistance

Applications for FEMA Assistance can be submitted by:

Phone: Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585.

Online: Fill out the application at DisasterAssistance.gov

In-Person: You can also fill out the application at a FEMA Disaster Resource Center (DRC).

Mobile Registration Intake Center: MRICs move around regularly. They will be in an area for a short period of time to help survivors who need registration help. Visit FEMA’s Disaster Declaration page to find more information about the Mobile Registration Intake Center locations and hours.

Disaster Recovery Center: To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC locator or text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area.

FEMA Fact Sheet: Remote Inspections

Due to the COVID-19 nationwide emergency declared by Former President Trump and the need to protect the safety and health of all Americans; FEMA will conduct remote home inspections for disaster survivors until further notice.

This fact sheet provides information about that process. It includes links to PDF and plain text versions.

As of June 1, 2022, FEMA is beginning to transition back to in- home inspections. Remote inspections may still occur if conditions make them necessary again.
What to Expect After You Apply for FEMA Assistance

Created by FEMA, this handout provides a basic overview what to expect after you have applied for assistance.
also available in:
Español
FEMA Fact Sheet: Returning to In- Home Inspections

As of June 1, 2022, FEMA reinstituted verification of disaster-caused losses through in-person home inspections. Multiple virtual methods were used to inspect survivor homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disaster survivors’ health and safety remain FEMA’s priority so the agency will retain the ability to conduct inspections without entering the home.

This link will take you to FEMA’s fact sheet on in- home inspections.

Safety and Shelter Resources

Please check your local news and local officials for the latest safety and shelter resources.

Access information on Safety and Shelter assistance through the resources below.

American Red Cross Disaster Relief & Recovery Services

Explore resources from the American Red Cross on how to stay safe and recover from a disaster.

Website
Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) Locator

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. The DRC Locator helps you find the hours, services, and locations of DRCs near you.

Website
American Red Cross Shelter Locator

If an emergency has forced you to evacuate your home, the Red Cross may be able to help. All Red Cross shelters are free, open to everyone, accessible to people with disabilities, and accepting of service animals. 

Website
Disaster and Disability Hotline

The Disability & Disaster Hotline, run by the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, offers help to people with disabilities and their families during emergencies. The hotline provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and other resources for those impacted by disasters. Whether you’re a person with a disability, a family member, an organization assisting people with disabilities, or anyone else with pressing disaster-related needs, the hotline can connect you to support.

The Disaster Hotline is always available for intake calls, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The link below will take you to the Partnership’s disaster hotline landing page.

Organization

A free legal help hotline is now available for Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding
survivors in qualifying counties who cannot afford an attorney. Survivors can call (312) 341-1070.

The hotline is available from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Additionally, requests for assistance can be made online at: https://legalaidchicago.org/get-help/.

For more information, please see the full press release here.

Introducing: Disaster Legal Services

The American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division has teamed up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create Disaster Legal Services (DLS) — a program designed to help survivors navigate the aftermath of presidentially- declared disasters. The DLS program provides immediate temporary legal assistance to disaster survivors—at no charge.

Issues where DLS can help include:

  • Insurance Claims
  • New Wills
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Other Legal Papers Lost During the Disaster
  • Problems with Landlords
  • FEMA Appeals
  • Home Repair Contracts and Contractor Fraud

Learn more through this short video.

Video
ABA YLD Disaster Legal Services Hotline

(888) 743-5749

To help meet the growing legal needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division has teamed up with RingCentral Inc. to create a national hotline to connect the Disaster Legal Services Program (DLS) with those seeking civil legal services.

Organization
Illinois State Bar Association

217-525-1760
1-800-252-8908

Illinois Bar Center
424 S. Second Street
Springfield, IL 62701-1779

Professional association of lawyers.

Organization
Legal Aid Chicago

(312) 341-1070

120 South LaSalla Street
Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60603

Provides free civil legal services to low-income people.

Organization
Illinois Free Legal Answers

Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic. Qualifying users post their civil legal question to their state’s website. Users will then be emailed when their question receives a response. There is no fee for the use of the system or for the advice and information provided by the attorney.

ABA Free Legal Answers is a website operated by the American Bar Association (ABA) and by an entity or entities in the state where the client lives.

Organization

News & Information