City leaders are calling for the Southwest Side of Chicago to be declared a disaster zone in order to access resources for flood recovery and mitigation, after the area experienced the worst flooding events in over a decade.

Homeowners on Chicago's Southwest and West sides said one historic flooding fiasco this summer was bad enough, but then this past weekend, they were hit with a second. Now, more than 5,000 residents are calling out for help. But the city said the only way they can successfully tackle the mess is with state and federal funding.

The first phase of the new pilot program sets up mobile vehicle emissions testing at the secretary of state's Chicago South Side DMV location at 99th Street and King Drive. Giannoulias even took his own car through the process to show how convenient it is.

The city has selected six developers to build 108 homes totaling $39.4 million in value on vacant South Side lots in South Chicago, Chatham and Morgan Park.

FLEEING: Blake Springsteen, 34, Chicago, was arrested Aug. 3 and accused of aggravated fleeing and eluding and hit-run in connection with a collision causing bodily injury in the 11800 block of Southwest Highway, as well as possession of a stolen vehicle after his apprehension by Posen officers, police said.

Right now, it is just a test run. But the goal is to have emissions testing at the facility full-time in the near future.

The pilot is a partnership between the Illinois secretary of state and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Motorists are expected to test vehicle emissions every two years for cars older than four years.