Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 6 that a court has ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reverse its termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program (BRIC) and restore billions in funding for disaster mitigation projects. The order follows a motion filed by Raoul and a coalition of states seeking to enforce a previous court decision from December, which found the Trump administration’s attempt to end BRIC unlawful.
The ruling is significant because it ensures continued support for communities preparing for natural disasters, including those in Illinois. The BRIC program provides resources for infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing damage, injuries, and costs associated with disasters. “I’m pleased with the court’s decision directing the administration to abide by the court’s order and restore this vital program to prepare for disasters and protect our communities,” Raoul said. He added, “Congress appropriated funding to the BRIC program because of the important role it plays in protecting property, reducing injuries and saving lives before natural disasters strike. Our coalition filed a lawsuit because the Trump administration’s attempt to end the program was unlawful, and the court agreed. The separation of powers and the rule of law still matter in our democracy.”
For three decades, BRIC has helped communities nationwide strengthen their infrastructure against natural hazards. Projects funded through BRIC must be cost-effective; studies show that every dollar spent on mitigation saves an average of six dollars in post-disaster expenses. In recent years, FEMA selected nearly 2,000 projects totaling about $4.5 billion in funding across the country.
In Illinois specifically, BRIC funds have supported efforts such as relocating a wastewater treatment plant out of a floodway—protecting drinking water supplies—and reducing flood risks in areas like Des Plaines River Valley where repeated flooding has caused millions in damages.
The new court order requires FEMA not only to make pre-disaster mitigation funds available but also to communicate project statuses with states and file regular status reports with the court. Additionally, FEMA must issue a fiscal year 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity for BRIC within 21 days.
Raoul was joined by attorneys general from several other states as well as governors from Pennsylvania and Kentucky in securing this order.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office has advocated for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants, and seniors according to its official website. It handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website, aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities and environmental rights issues according to its official website, extends advocacy efforts statewide according to its official website, partners with law enforcement agencies according to its official website, and offers services such as complaint filing related to consumer fraud or civil rights according to its official website.
Looking ahead, observers will watch how FEMA implements these requirements under judicial oversight while affected communities anticipate renewed access to critical disaster mitigation resources.
