Wheaton homeowners, renters, and business owners who suffered damage in the June 11 tornado outbreak can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans, with the first application deadline less than two months away.
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Monday, July 14, that DuPage County is among 16 Illinois counties covered by a disaster declaration triggered by the storms. Governor JB Pritzker requested the declaration July 7.
Who qualifies and how much
Homeowners can borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary residence. Homeowners and renters can borrow up to $100,000 for personal property losses, including furniture, clothing, cars, and appliances. Interest rates start at 2.875% with terms up to 30 years.
Businesses and private nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to repair real estate, equipment, and inventory. Business rates start at 4%; nonprofit rates at 3.625%.
No payments are due, and no interest accrues, until 12 months after the first loan disbursement.
Applicants may also qualify for a loan increase of up to 20% above their physical damage amount for mitigation work, such as installing storm shelters or upgrading to wind-rated garage doors.
Economic injury loans
Small businesses and nonprofits that lost revenue because of the storms can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans even if their buildings were untouched. Those funds can cover payroll, fixed debts, and accounts payable.
Deadlines
The deadline for physical property damage applications is Sept. 8, 2026. Economic injury applications are due April 12, 2027.
How to apply
Residents can apply online at sba.gov/disaster, call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, or email [email protected]. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 7-1-1 for relay services.
In-person SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers opened Wednesday, July 15, in Cook County and at Streator City Hall in LaSalle County. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be scheduled at appointment.sba.gov. Both centers close permanently at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 30. No DuPage County walk-in center has been announced.
Local help through 211 DuPage
DuPage County residents who need guidance navigating the application or connecting with other recovery resources can contact 211 DuPage, a free, confidential referral service, at 211dupage.gov.
Storm context
The June 11 outbreak produced at least 21 confirmed tornadoes across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, according to CBS News Chicago. Two reached EF-3 intensity with winds above 135 mph. Numerous injuries were reported, but no fatalities. Closer to home, an EF-0 tornado touched down in Naperville around 8:04 p.m. that evening, snapping and uprooting trees along a 1.3-mile path through the Huntington Hills and Oleson Estates subdivisions before lifting near Benedictine University in Lisle, according to a National Weather Service survey reported by the Chicago Tribune.
The physical damage application deadline of Sept. 8 is the most pressing date for Wheaton-area residents seeking assistance.
