Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is collaborating with the Peoria Chiefs to promote the "It's Not a Game" road safety campaign during an Orange Barrels-themed night on Saturday, May 13. The event aims to raise awareness about work zone safety.

Before the game, IDOT will organize a fair on Oak Street in front of the stadium. This initiative will engage fans and community members by providing educational materials and interactive activities focused on safe driving practices in work zones.

"Driving through work zones is not a game - safe practices save lives," stated Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. He highlighted that due to Rebuild Illinois, there are more work zones throughout the state than ever before. Osman expressed gratitude towards the Peoria Chiefs for helping spread this important message.

The Peoria Chiefs adopted the Orange Barrels name and logo in 2020 when construction for the Murray Baker Bridge was announced. This year, with new construction on the Bob Michel Bridge, their partnership with IDOT has expanded to further emphasize work zone safety.

"We are proud to partner with IDOT to promote road safety at our Orange Barrels-themed game night," said Peoria Chiefs General Manager Jason Mott. He emphasized that community and fan safety is paramount and expressed excitement about raising awareness through this event.

During construction season, IDOT urges the public to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic laws and signs in work zones to ensure everyone's safety. For more information about the "It's Not a Game" campaign, visit www.itsnotagameillinois.com.