The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a disaster declaration for the excessive rainfall that struck the Chicagoland area July 2-4. This declaration allows homeowners, renters, businesses and certain nonprofit organizations to apply for low-interest loans to help cover losses not fully covered by insurance.

The disaster declaration covers DuPage County and the Illinois counties of Cook, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, and McHenry. It also makes several SBA disaster loan programs available, including Business Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and Home Disaster Loans, depending on the applicant’s eligibility.

Residents and businesses can apply online through the SBA’s Disaster Loan Assistance website or in person at the following locations:

• Aug. 24 to Sept. 5: Hanover Park Police Department, 2011 W. Lake Street, Hanover Park; Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
• Aug. 10 to 22: Prisco Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora; Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
• Aug. 17 to Sept. 1: Elgin Township Building, 729 S. McLean Blvd., Elgin; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
• Aug. 25 to Sept. 5: Hinckley Community Building, 120 Maple Street, Hinckley; To be announced.

Additional information on eligibility, loan and credit requirements, interest rates, restrictions on loan eligibility, and mitigation improvements is available via the SBA Fact Sheet or by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Applications for physical property damage are due Oct. 5, while economic injury applications are due May 5, 2027.

Residents seeking additional assistance or resources can contact 211 DuPage by calling 211 or visiting 211DuPage.gov.