Chicago Communities to Get $128M for Storm Recovery

Communities in the Chicago, Ill., area are getting $128 million to repair damage caused by last April’s heavy rains and record flooding.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says the money is especially important for families who lost their homes. Durbin, Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the funding Friday.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs awarded the money through a disaster recovery program. The recovery grants often supplement other disaster programs, such as those run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The grants will go to Cook County, the city of Chicago, DuPage County and the state of Illinois. Cook County is receiving the largest portion: $54.9 million.

Chicago is getting $47.7 million. DuPage County expects $18.9 million and the state of Illinois is granted $6.8 million.