Glen Ellyn homeowners dealing with damage from this summer's severe storms won't qualify for a new state flood-repair reimbursement program Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law last week, despite the governor promoting the measure during a Monday, Aug. 17, visit to College of DuPage.

Senate Bill 3925 expands an existing home equity assurance program structure that can provide eligible homeowners with reimbursement for certain flood-related repairs. The program is not a statewide benefit available to homeowners in communities such as Glen Ellyn.

The law applies to home equity assurance programs established by qualifying municipalities. Under the legislation, those municipalities must meet specific population and other statutory requirements. Glen Ellyn, with roughly 28,000 residents, does not meet the population threshold cited in the legislation, according to Capitol News Illinois.

Pritzker signed the bill Friday, Aug. 14. Three weeks earlier, the National Weather Service confirmed an EF-0 tornado with winds near 80 mph touched down in Glen Ellyn on July 28.

During his Aug. 17 appearance at COD, CBS News Chicago asked Pritzker about the gap between the new program and communities such as Glen Ellyn that have experienced repeated severe weather this summer.

"It's as fast as we can get those dollars to them," Pritzker said, referring to the program's implementation. The new reimbursements are not expected to begin until 2027.

What the new law does

SB 3925 expands the ability of qualifying home equity assurance programs to provide financial assistance for flood-related repairs. Eligible homeowners can receive reimbursement for a portion of qualifying documented repair expenses, subject to the limits and requirements established by the program.

The assistance is tied to the local home equity assurance programs covered by the law rather than being a new statewide disaster fund.

That means Glen Ellyn homeowners cannot apply for the benefit simply because they experienced storm or flood damage.

What could help Glen Ellyn homeowners?

A federal disaster declaration could provide access to additional forms of federal assistance, depending on the type of declaration and the damage documented in the affected area.

As of Monday, Aug. 17, Illinois had not requested a presidential disaster declaration for the August storms. Pritzker told CBS News Chicago that the state was still waiting for local damage assessments to be completed before making decisions about a federal request.

A state disaster declaration can help coordinate state resources and support a request for federal assistance, but it does not by itself guarantee FEMA aid. Federal assistance depends on the type of declaration approved and the eligibility requirements for individual programs.

Indiana, which was also affected by the storm system, received a presidential emergency declaration on Sunday, Aug. 16, after Gov. Mike Braun requested federal assistance. FEMA subsequently announced assistance for affected Indiana residents, according to ABC7 Chicago.

SBA loans are already available

Glen Ellyn residents have another potential source of assistance: Small Business Administration disaster loans.

The SBA previously approved a disaster declaration covering DuPage County as a contiguous county to Kane County, where tornado damage prompted the underlying declaration. Eligible homeowners and businesses can use qualifying SBA disaster loans to help repair or replace damaged property.

Those loans are different from grants or reimbursements and must be repaid.

What residents should watch

For Glen Ellyn homeowners still dealing with damage from the July and August storms, the key question is whether the state ultimately seeks additional federal assistance.

Residents should document damage, keep repair estimates and receipts, photograph affected areas and monitor announcements from the Village of Glen Ellyn, DuPage County and the state.

The new state flood-repair law may provide assistance in communities covered by qualifying home equity assurance programs, but it does not create a statewide $1,000 reimbursement program for Glen Ellyn homeowners.