Community Development Block Grant Disaster Response Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for Illinois municipalities and units of local government responding to disaster declarations. Applicants must be located within Illinois and have an urgent public health or safety emergency after a Governor-declared disaster. The program funds debris removal, street clearance, temporary repairs, and compliance documentation. Cost-sharing is not required.
Program description
This program is designed for communities experiencing an imminent and urgent threat to public health and safety as indicated by a disaster declaration by the Governor of the State of Illinois. Responding to emergency conditions that threaten public health and safety. When emergency conditions threaten the public health and safety and/or immediate action is necessary to stop physical deterioration after a disaster has occurred, certain activities are allowed on an interim or temporary basis. Under these circumstances acceptable activities include: • Debris removal; • Clearance of streets including snow removal and similar activities; • Temporary or permanent street repair that does not alter environmental conditions and is limited to protection, repair, or restoration activities necessary only to control or arrest the effects from the disaster; • Activity Delivery for required documentation and compliance. Activity Delivery must be charged on an hourly basis and cannot exceed $5,000 per grant award. Beneficiaries: Communities that have experienced a Gubernatorial-declared disaster. Federal Assistance Listing: 14.228 — Community Development Block Grants/State’s program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii. Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 420-75-1637).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Governor's disaster declaration or official documentation
- Scope of Work with specific emergency activities listed
- Budget with itemized costs
- Evidence of public health/safety threat
- Proof of applicant eligibility (municipal resolution or authorization)
Program contact
- 👤 Wendy Bell
- 📧 ceo.ocd@illinois.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 14.228 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,932,347,000
-
$1,639,381,000
-
$1,428,120,000
-
$1,107,881,000
-
$925,394,000
-
$910,624,000
-
$831,502,000
-
$813,783,000
-
$709,324,000
-
$585,704,000
Top States by Funding
- FL 16 awards $6,650.5M
- PR 3 awards $2,282.6M
- NC 5 awards $1,791.9M
- HI 1 awards $1,639.4M
- IL 8 awards $973.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Illinois state appropriations. How funding has trended year over year.
| 2019 | $2,000,000 | |
| 2021 | $2,000,000 | |
| 2022 | $2,120,450 | |
| 2023 | $1,304,606 | |
| 2024 | $1 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Illinois cities, counties, and other units of local government in areas with a Governor disaster declaration.
What activities are eligible?
Debris removal, street clearance, temporary street repairs, and compliance documentation up to $5,000.
Is there a deadline?
This program uses rolling acceptance. Apply as soon as disaster conditions are declared.
How much can we request?
Awards typically range up to $250,000. Budget depends on documented emergency needs.
Do we need to provide matching funds?
No cost-sharing is required for this disaster response program.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Document the disaster declaration and immediate threats to public health and safety clearly. Include the Governor's declaration details.
- Focus application on emergency response activities only. Permanent improvements that aren't disaster-related aren't eligible.
- Track all costs carefully with hourly documentation. Compliance costs cannot exceed $5,000 per award.
- Apply immediately after disaster declaration. Rolling programs prioritize faster applicants during emergencies.
- Keep scope narrow and realistic. Stretching activities beyond immediate disaster response will weaken competitiveness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Requesting funds for non-emergency activities or permanent improvements unrelated to the disaster. Submitting applications without a current Governor disaster declaration. Charging compliance costs above the $5,000 limit or without hourly documentation.
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