Governor Issues State Disaster Declaration for Storm

Gov. J.B. Pritzker prepared Illinois to fight a massive winter storm by issuing a statewide disaster declaration and activating the Illinois National Guard Tuesday. The National Weather Service is predicting as much as 20 inches of snow through a swath of central Illinois with other regions expected to get heavy snow, ice and sleet.

During a press conference, Pritzker urged motorists “to stay off the roads unless it’s absolutely necessary” and assured local officials the state would provide resources for disaster responses.

About 130 National Guardsmen will help Illinois State Police as “strike teams for life and safety missions” in seven central state police districts, said Maj. Gen. Richard Neely, adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard. Pritzker noted the Guardsmen will be equipped with special equipment suitable for such emergencies. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is coordinating the state response, including the Illinois State Police patrols and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) fleet of 1,800 snowplows and trucks.

IEMA’s state emergency operations center was opening Tuesday evening and will be staffed 24 hours a day.

Winter Storm Landon even changed Pritzker’s Wednesday plans for his State of the State and state budget message. Instead of a live audience of gathered legislators and state officials in the House chambers, the governor said he will give a virtual speech and was sure “the legislators will tune in.”

The storm is expected to create extremely dangerous, even life-threatening, travel conditions across much of Illinois. Roads are expected to be impassable in the hardest-hit regions with high winds and whiteout conditions likely throughout the state.

In central Illinois, along the Interstate 55, 57, 70 and 72 corridors, snow accumulation is expected to range between 6 and 20 inches with the highest amounts around Springfield, Bloomington and Champaign areas and as far north as Kankakee.

Chicago area predictions range from a trace to more than a foot of snow. Significant ice and sleet are possible in much of southern Illinois. However, the storm is expected to skirt the northwest region, including Rockford and the Quad Cities.

Around the state, plowing and drifting snow will create hazardous conditions Wednesday night and Thursday with winds gusting to 30 mph. By Friday, colder air will bring subzero temperatures.