Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces disaster declaration to help those affected by Austin apartment building collapse

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a disaster declaration Tuesday for the apartment building in Austin that collapsed in September, killing one person. The declaration will allow those affected to apply for loans not covered by insurance, according to a news release.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency said in the release the U.S. Small Business Administration approved the disaster declaration for the building at 5601 W. West End Ave. where a man was killed and seven others injured.

The collapse was the aftermath of an explosion about 9 a.m. on Sept. 21. The Chicago Fire Department office of fire investigation found the cause of the explosion to be the ignition of natural gas.

“We requested a disaster declaration on behalf of the families who were left homeless by this explosion and subsequent structural collapse,” IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau said in a statement. “Illinois is very grateful to the SBA because it will help these families rebuild their lives. Some of these residents lost not just the structure of their home, but everything they owned. I encourage every resident affected by the explosion to apply for one of these loans.”

City building inspectors examined and helped stabilize the damaged portion of the multiunit apartment building.

Pritzker said the disaster declaration is “one of many ways” those affected by the building collapse are being provided financial relief. The disaster declaration allows for residents, condo homeowners and businesses affected to apply for low-interest loans for any damages not covered by insurance.

“Victims of the Sept. 20 Chicago apartment building explosion deserve all of our available resources to heal and rebuild,” Pritzker said in a statement.

Homeowners can apply for up to $200,000 in low-interest loans to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property, according to the release. Homeowners or renters can apply for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million for physical damages.

Staff from the SBA will be at the Austin Town Hall Park, 5610 W. Lake St., starting at 11 a.m. Thursday to help people with their loan applications, according to the release. The Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be open Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., then on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center will close at 4 p.m. on Oct. 20.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement the disaster declaration gives people affected “yet another option to consider in their collective road to recovery.”