As temperatures drop and winter weather returns, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and Illinois Tollway are reminding travelers to prepare now for safe winter travel.
For the upcoming winter, IDOT will have nearly 1,900 trucks available for deployment to plow more than 45,000 lane miles of roads statewide, the equivalent of driving back and forth between New York City and Los Angeles eight times.
Even early in the season, routine trips can take longer, and conditions can change quickly. As part of the Winter Weather – Get it Together campaign, IDOT is encouraging motorists to:
- Check GettingAroundIllinois.com for 24/7 winter road conditions and stay updated on forecasts.
- Allow extra travel time. Slow down and increase following distance.
- Carry an emergency kit: jumper cables, flares/reflectors, washer fluid, ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food, first-aid kit, and a phone charger.
- Inspect your battery, tires, belts, and lights before hitting the road.
- Watch for black ice, especially on bridges, ramps, intersections, and shaded areas.
- Avoid travel during severe weather when possible; if you must go, share your route and consider public transit options.
- Don’t crowd the plow: plow drivers may not see you, and roads are always safer behind the plow.
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Put the phone down, it’s the law.
- Obey the Move Over law: slow down and change lanes for any stopped vehicle.
- Follow IDOT on Facebook and X for winter operations updates.
To increase staffing for winter operations, hiring at IDOT continues for both temporary and permanent positions. For information on job postings throughout the state, visit illinois.jobs2web.com or IDOT’s Employment page.