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Pritzker: Trump playing politics with FEMA disaster aid denial

Pritzker: Trump playing politics with FEMA disaster aid denial

Governor JB Pritzker claims the denial of disaster aid was because Illinois is a "blue state." Photo: Shutterstock


Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A major disaster declaration in the wake of some mid-August, 2025 severe weather in Illinois won’t be coming any time soon.

Governor JB Pritzker, in a news release, says he knows why Illinois was denied:  politics.

“Let’s call this what this is: a politically motivated decision that punishes thousands of Illinois families in a critical moment of need. Playing politics with disaster relief funding is a new low, even for the Trump Administration,” said Pritzker. “Ignoring the realities of widespread damage from the August 2025 severe storms, speaks volumes about the federal government’s vindictive priorities and complete disregard for American livelihoods.”

IEMA Acting Director “Ted” Berger calls the denial “incredibly disappointing.”

Storms, while impacting northern and eastern Illinois, did cause some watches and warnings in the Springfield area, but not to the extent they did in Chicagoland.

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