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9h ago

After New Flooding, Chicago Alders Press Backflow Valve Program as Johnson Seeks Disaster Aid

Residents are asked to complete the city’s flood survey by Friday to document losses for relief.

Maria Hernandez, whose basement flooded following two days of heavy rain, sorts through wet and soiled clothing in the 5600 block of South Fairfield Avenue in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • More than 5,600 basement flooding reports have been filed with 3-1-1 since Saturday, according to city officials.
  • Mayor Brandon Johnson toured Gage Park on Tuesday as the city and Red Cross distributed cleanup kits to affected households.
  • Six Southwest Side alderpeople urged City Hall to fund large-scale backflow valve installations, which run about $10,000 to $15,000 per home, but no program has been approved.
  • The Department of Water Management says aging, undersized systems were overwhelmed by fast, heavy rainfall, and officials point to climate-driven extremes as a compounding factor.
  • City leaders say broader repairs and homeowner assistance depend on state and federal aid, with residents instructed to submit surveys and damage photos by Aug. 22 to support the request.