[Updated 4/21/15, 15:00]

At least two people died and more than a dozen people were injured when tornadoes touched down in northern Illinois on Thursday evening, April 9. The communities of Fairdale, Kirkland, and Ashton were among those hardest hit. Dozens of homes and businesses were also destroyed.

Read more and see photos in this Huffington Post article.

Members, please email me information on your response to this disaster, and we will share it here.

We have also included below a variety of links and resources, both general and specific. If there are links and documents you suggest adding, please email them to me.

— Marilou Jones, Director of Communications, [email protected]

Member Responses, Relief Efforts

The American Red Cross website has a donation tool. Users can specify that funds be siphoned to a local chapter. Governor Rauner and his wife have donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross. 

BMO Harris Bank has announced it is contributing $10,000 to assist disaster relief efforts for victims of the damage caused by the recent tornadoes in Northern Illinois.

The Chicago Cubs Charities collected donations for tornado relief during the April 14 game.

The Kishwaukee United Way and the DeKalb County Community Foundation (DCCF) are partnering to establish the DeKalb County Disaster Recovery Fund. The Fund, held by the DCCF and endorsed by DeKalb County and Kirkland officials, accepts monetary tax-deductible donations that will be used to support mid to long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts that meet needs among DeKalb County residents. Click here to donate.

A Fairdale Relief Fund was set up in conjunction with the Kirkland Fire Department. Donations and goods for the families recovering will be accepted at 1440 E. Devon Ave. in Elk Grove Village. For more information, visit their website here.

McCormick Foundation in partnership with WGN Radio, Chicago Tribune, WGN-TV, Hoy and Cubs Charities will support nonprofit agencies providing disaster relief and recovery efforts to those communities hit hardest by the tornadoes. The Foundation will match the first $500,000 raised at 50 cents on the dollar. 

The Northern Illinois Food Bank is collecting donations here. 

The Rochelle Foundation is accepting financial donations for assistance. Visit rochellefoundation.org

The Salvation Army also is collecting donations for emergency disaster relief. Donate to the Salvation Army here. 
 

Resources

Locate open Red Cross Shelters in the area

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy