Aroma Park didn't qualify for FEMA funds after tornadoes, mayor says
CBS News Chicago learned it wasn't White House favoritism or even a rejection by FEMA that led to the decision.
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CBS News Chicago learned it wasn't White House favoritism or even a rejection by FEMA that led to the decision.
As families work to rebuild their lives after tornadoes touched down in the Chicago area and northwest Indiana on Tuesday, questions over whether the federal government will help out will likely be a focal point down the road.
The Department of Homeland Security officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday after Congress failed to pass a bill to fund its operations before a stopgap measure lapsed.
Illinois residents who were hit hard by storms last August have once again been denied extra help from the federal government by the Trump administration.
There might be some relief on the way for people whose homes recently flooded during storms in Chicago.
The Southwest Side of Chicago is still recovering from flood damage over the weekend, with homeowners filing reports with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, trying to get money to help rebuild.
FEMA joined state, county, and city officials this week, going door-to-door in parts of Chicago hit hardest by flooding from heavy rain in July.
More than a week after deadly floods struck Central Texas, search and rescue teams are continuing to probe debris for those still missing.
It was not clear to staff whether FEMA's David Richardson meant it literally or as a joke, but current and former employees who spoke with CBS News said the comment flustered many.
Help from FEMA may include grants for temporary housing, basic home repair or replacement, and other disaster-related expenses.
Help from FEMA may include grants for temporary housing, basic home repair or replacement, and other disaster-related expenses.
The agency did not say where the situation happened, but Gov. Ron DeSantis said it occurred in Florida, calling it "targeted discrimination."
President Biden told Floridians his administration would offer support "for as long as it takes to rescue, recover and rebuild."
Anyone whose home or business sustained damage from tornadoes in the Chicago area this past summer can now get help with repairs.
The National Weather Service confirmed 41 tornadoes in Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana on the nights of both Sunday, July 14, and Monday, July 15.
A CBS News investigation found numerous examples across the U.S. where emergency officials failed to issue timely alerts to warn the public about safety threats — or never issued an alert at all.
If approved, you could get grant money for home repairs or help for your small business.
A temporary FEMA disaster assistance center opened in Riverdale to serve renters, homeowners and business owners affected by storms and flooding.
"People kept riding through it with the big trucks and every time they would ride through it it would cause a wave, and it would come up more."
FEMA and the FCC launched a nationwide test of the emergency alert system on Wednesday.
FEMA said so far, it has given out more than $150 million in assistance to 42,000 households and more than $32 million in small business disaster loans.
"We were actually getting so much water, that the system that we have, the sewage collection system, the drainage system, the stormwater management system, simply could not take in that much water."
"We've had issues with flooding in our alleys. Our alleys are not paved. Our taxes continue to go up."
The center will help provide recovery assistance to residents in Chatham, Avalon Park, and other surrounding South Side communities.
While many are still recovering from the record heat wave last week, on Monday FEMA continues its Summer Ready campaign with an extreme heat summit.
One pedestrian was killed and another was critically injured when they were hit by a car while crossing the street on Saturday night in northwest suburban Hanover Park.
A lightning strike hit a natural gas main, setting a tree on fire late Sunday night in northwest suburban Bartlett.
A man died over the weekend, nearly two weeks after the e-scooter he was riding was hit by the wheel of a trailer in the far north Chicago suburb of Gurnee.
A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a former Cicero firefighter against Gibsons Steakhouse in Oak Brook, alleging contaminated oysters he was served there cause catastrophic brain injuries.
Authorities have released the name of the Madison police officer who shot and killed a 38-year-old Black man last month in Wisconsin's capital city, Madison.
Liam Stanton, one of the 10 candidates for mayor of Chicago, announced Monday morning that he was withdrawing from the race and endorsing Alexi Giannoulias.
A group of activists and elected officials filed reports with the Chicago Police Department on Monday, alleging crimes committed by federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz last fall.
In a wide-ranging interview with the CBS News partner BBC News, Hunter Biden grew emotional as he discussed his father's condition, describing it as very sad to watch.
In a narrow 50-49 vote, President Trump's former defense lawyer was confirmed as attorney general in a vote early Saturday.
The White House has informed Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, that President Trump is considering firing her.
The Trump administration is taking aim at power grid operator PJM Interconnection over rising electricity bills that affect Illinois and Indiana residents.
Chicago remained the most bed bug-treated city in the country, according to Orkin's latest annual rankings covering a full year of residential and commercial treatment data.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul this week warned residents cleaning up from last month's storms to be on the lookout for scams.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed several new consumer protections into law, including a ban on junk fees.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
In a wide-ranging interview with the CBS News partner BBC News, Hunter Biden grew emotional as he discussed his father's condition, describing it as very sad to watch.
With the cyclosporiasis linked to iceberg lettuce growing and consumers wary of the products on grocery shelves, many in Chicago are turning to local farmers market for fresh and safe greens.
East Chicago, Indiana is being placed on a precautionary boil water advisory starting Monday morning for planned installations that could affect water safety.
A new Northwestern Medicine study on long COVID shows women show more neurological symptoms than men.
A lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people, the CDC said.
The Original Rainbow Cone celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sunday with a special event at its Beverly location.
The Shops at North Bridge on the Magnificent Mile announced plans Thursday for a multimillion-dollar renovation project.
While the building that housed the flagship Ann Sather restaurant on Belmont Avenue has been torn down, the renowned Chicago restaurant chain is now set to open a new Lakeview location.
Nationally, data centers used 17.4 billion gallons of water in 2023 — a figure projected to reach 72.6 billion gallons by 2028, raising concerns about states' water supplies.
Chicago's Wishbone Restaurant will soon be closing after 36 years in business.
Crews need about a week and a half to tear down the festival site before the city can begin its own inspection — and past cleanup costs have topped $1 million.
Vincent Pastore played Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on all six seasons of "The Sopranos," which aired from 1999 to 2007.
If weather forces an evacuation, shelter sites are located at Grant Park North, Grant Park South, and Millennium Lakeside Garages, accessible through the vehicle entrance on Michigan Avenue.
Grant Park was filled with tens of thousands of people Thursday for the start of Lollapalooza, as warm weather greeted festivalgoers on day one of the four-day music festival.
Academy Award-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has died in a motorcycle crash.
More rounds of severe storms are possible Monday, especially in the late afternoon and evening. Highs in the mid-80s.
At least seven people are dead from a flesh-eating bacteria found in the warm coastal waters along the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana state officials say there have been at least nine cases this year.
A 15-year-old boy is in a coma after being seriously injured in an e-bike crash in Crystal Lake, his parents said.
A group of activists and elected officials filed reports with the Chicago Police Department on Monday, alleging crimes committed by federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz last fall.
The National Weather Service will survey the area near Ransom, Illinois, after a reported tornado touchdown overnight in LaSalle County.
Chicagoans were likely awoken by thunderclaps as loud and intense as explosions overnight Sunday into Monday — and another round of heavy rain with flooded roads and downed trees came along with it.
One pedestrian was killed and another was critically injured when they were hit by a car while crossing the street on Saturday night in northwest suburban Hanover Park.
A lightning strike hit a natural gas main, setting a tree on fire late Sunday night in northwest suburban Bartlett.
A man died over the weekend, nearly two weeks after the e-scooter he was riding was hit by the wheel of a trailer in the far north Chicago suburb of Gurnee.
A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a former Cicero firefighter against Gibsons Steakhouse in Oak Brook, alleging contaminated oysters he was served there cause catastrophic brain injuries.
Neighbors of a South Side animal feed plant have complained about the noxious smell and air quality for years. Now the city of Chicago and state of Illinois are suing Pullman Innovations to clean up the air, as well as for alleged illegal work and permit violations.
The owners of a Far South Side funeral home where dozens of decomposing bodies were found earlier this week have run into trouble with state regulators before over their handling of bodies at a crematory in the south suburbs.
University of Illinois researchers have found a correlation between more green spaces and less violence in neighborhoods. A group in Chicago is planting trees with the mission to bring beauty and safety to the whole city.
Security video captured the moment a utility pole fell in a parking lot behind a La Grange Park, Illinois, animal hospital, igniting a fire that destroyed multiple cars.
An Illinois Tollway glitch that left thousands of drivers with unexpected warnings about unpaid tolls stemmed from an extra digit in codes within the system's computers, according to records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The Chicago White Sox are preparing for another sold-out crowd on Tuesday night at Rate Field as they celebrate the team's most famous fan, Pope Leo XIV.
Colson Montgomery's 26th homer, a three-run shot, capped Chicago's four-run third inning and the White Sox held on to beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-3 on Sunday.
Chicago Bears receiver Luther Burden III will reportedly miss a little bit of time with a groin injury he suffered at practice on Saturday.
Ian Happ hit a two-run homer, Miguel Amaya added a three-run shot and the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 10-2 on Sunday.
Don Nelson was one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises — Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State.
Chicago police issued a business alert this past weekend, warning store employees to be vigilant as detectives investigate a pair of robberies.
At least five people were killed, and 14 more were wounded, in shootings in Chicago this weekend as of early Sunday afternoon. The victims ranged in age from 17 to 50.
A woman was found stabbed to death early Sunday morning in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood.
Two Chicago men were arrested early Sunday morning following a pursuit along the Borman Expressway in Northwest Indiana.
Chicago police this weekend were looking for help from the public in finding a man accused of shooting a 16-year-old boy in the West Lawn neighborhood earlier this year.
