Mitigation

Plainly stated, hazard mitigation is any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards.

The mission of the Illinois Mitigation Program is to identify hazards that affect Illinois, assess how vulnerable Illinois is to each hazard, and then implement a strategy for mitigating the effects of the hazard.

The program is intended to:

• ​Provide the framework for hazard mitigation not only during the recovery and reconstruction process, but also on a year-round basis.
  
• Identify mitigation projects that will reduce the potential for future losses and decrease the cost to taxpayers.
  
• Provide education to the public on mitigation methods and offer assistance to local jurisdictions that are eligible for mitigation projects.
  
• Assist all Illinois jurisdictions in completing a Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 compliant plan.
  

This mitigation section is not only an introduction to hazard mitigation in Illinois, but also a planning tool for those communities that wish to implement a program in their jurisdiction.​

An opportunity to apply for grant funds to implement some of the actions identified in your FEMA approved local hazard mitigation plan. The President declared a Major Disaster (FEMA‐4461‐DR) for the State of Illinois as the result of flooding along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. As a result of the disaster declaration on September 19, 2019, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds are available statewide for eligible sub‐applicants to apply for projects that reduce risk to people and property from natural hazards. The preliminary deadline to submit HMGP pre-applications to the IEMA Mitigation Branch is closed as of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020.

With mitigation growing ever so rapidly statewide, we realize that there are many questions you have when determining if the process is right for you. We encourage homeowners, local officials, and even businesses to email us at the address listed below. Our website has a lot of great information, but we realize that every circumstance is a little different. Let us help you determine if mitigation is the right option for you. Please don’t hesitate, if you have questions about mitigation opportunities in your community, please email us and a Mitigation Specialist will respond shortly. ema.mitigation@illinois.gov​

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has recently updating and received formal approval for the Illinois Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (INHMP)​. This is the State's plan to reduce the harm natural disasters cause individuals and property. While the 2018 INHMP will not be required for a formal update for 5 years, we continually welcome comments and input on the plan for all future updates. Comments and input can be submitted to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer at ema.Mitigation@illinois.gov