BURBANK—State Senator Mike Porfirio is encouraging residents and businesses impacted by July's flooding to apply for federal assistance.

“The severe storms our state faced left a significant impact on our communities in Cook County,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “It is crucial that individuals and families take advantage of these resources while they are available so we can rebuild and regain stability.”  

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program could include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the storms. Currently, around 8,200 individuals have applied for relief, and the max amount of assistance being offered is $41,000—if a home is completely destroyed. To apply, people can either call 800-621-3362, visit disasterassistance.gov, or use the FEMA app.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available to businesses and residents. Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair disaster-damaged or destroyed property. Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace real estate, and up to $100,000 is available to repair or replace personal property. Applications are available at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ or by calling SBA at 800-659-2955.

“We are committed to working tirelessly to facilitate a smooth and efficient recovery process,” said Porfirio. “Our residents and local businesses are the backbones of our community, so we want to ensure that every eligible person receives the help they need.” 

The deadline for both FEMA and SBA grants is Oct. 16. Porfirio encourages residents to apply as soon as possible.

BURBANK – With support from State Senator Mike Porfirio, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently announced the latest round of Back to Business grants awarded to businesses in the restaurant industry.

“The Back to Business grants have supported our local restaurants through some of the most devastating times,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “By investing in these businesses, we are helping restaurants adapt and improve so they can continue to serve our communities to the best of their capabilities.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided over $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Ten area restaurants in Porfirio’s district will receive a combined total of $395,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“Our local restaurants help to foster and promote diversity and community pride,” said Porfirio. “Helping small businesses stay open and continue to grow post-pandemic has been vital for ensuring our community needs are being met.”

For more information about the Back to Business program, visit DCEO’s website.

BURBANK – A measure to make significant strides to expand the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program –which received support from State Senator Mike Porfirio – was signed into law Friday.

“By making the AIM HIGH program permanent, students will be given more access to in-state, higher education opportunities,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This program is necessary for ensuring our universities and residents have the appropriate resources to excel and grow.”

The AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program provides merit-based, means-tested student financial aid to first-time, full-time undergraduate students and transfer students who are Illinois residents attending any of the 12 Illinois public four-year universities since 2019.

House Bill 301 makes the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program permanent, increases transparency in the program to allow more students to take advantage of it, increases access for part-time students and makes changes to the matching requirements for the public universities.

The changes to the matching requirement for institutions is based on the percentage of students receiving Pell Grants. Institutions with at least 49% of students receiving Pell Grants will now be required to contribute 35% of the grant amount, up from the previous 20%. Similarly, institutions with less than 49% of students receiving Pell Grants will now be required to contribute 70% of the grant amount, compared to the previous 60%. These changes will ensure that the AIM HIGH Grant Program targets those most in need, further amplifying its impact.

“Providing students with appropriate financial aid options is imperative to keeping residents in Illinois,” said Porfirio. “This program will make attending college more feasible and affordable, which is pertinent for the success of our students.”

House Bill 301 was signed on Friday and goes into effect immediately.

LYONS TOWNSHIP – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by Senator Mike Porfirio, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of more than $240 million in road and bridge improvement projects for the 11^th Senate District.

“These infrastructure improvements are essential for the betterment of our state and the well-being of our local residents,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “The investments we have received will not only address immediate infrastructure concerns, but will also lay the foundation for more connected and sustainable improvements moving forward.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Porfirio represents will see 36 infrastructure projects totaling more than $240 million over the next six years.

Some of the most vital projects coming to the area include:

• Traffic signal modernization and replacement, accessibility upgrades for people with disabilities and other improvements on Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview
• Drainage and pavement maintenance on First Avenue in North Riverside
• A construction engineering project along Kemman Avenue and Shawmut Avenue in Brookfield and La Grange

These projects are part of IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan, a $40 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years. The project invests in all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, as well as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

“Our transportation infrastructure is the backbone of our economy and daily lives,” Porfirio said. “By investing these resources now, we will be guaranteeing a future where transportation is safe and efficient for all of our residents.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 11th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.