Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is urging the public to utilize GettingAroundIllinois.com as winter weather approaches. This online resource offers continuous updates on road conditions throughout the state, available 24/7. As unpredictable weather can affect travel plans, IDOT emphasizes the importance of preparation.

"While IDOT is ready for whatever winter has in store, preparation and planning always are your best protection in keeping you and your family safe during snow-and-ice season," stated Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. He added that severe winter events may take several days before roads are completely cleared of snow and ice.

GettingAroundIllinois.com is accessible via computer and optimized for smartphone use. It allows users to zoom into specific locations or routes on a state map. Road conditions reported by plow drivers are relayed through a cloud-based system to provide an overview of highways maintained by IDOT.

During the snow-and-ice season, the website's road conditions map averages over 2.5 million pageviews. The map uses a color scheme featuring pinks and blues, which differ from traditional traffic congestion colors, enhancing accessibility for those with color vision difficulties.