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Illinois Officials Urge Residents To Be Safe During Cold Snap

photo credit by Robert Hensley / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

The state of Illinois is offering tips and is taking steps to ensure that residents get the help they may need during this wave of extremely cold weather. Governor Pat Quinn's office says residents who need shelter from the frigid temperatures can visit one of the state's more than 100 warming centers. Most of them are located in Department of Human Services Offices across the state. They are open from 8:30 until 5. They can also visit Tollway Oases, which are open 24 hours a day.

Warming Centers in Winnebago and Boone Counties

The Tollway has also doubled the number of Zero Weather Road Patrols it provides to assist motorists who are stranded. Those patrols will continue their work into Wednesday, or until the temperature or wind chill rises above zero.

The state also reminds residents in danger of having their heat shut off that Illinois law prohibits that practice during stretches of extremely cold weather.

Elderly and pets

Also, people are urged to check on elderly neighbors and relatives. And officials say try to keep pets indoors or ensure they have a warm shelter area with unfrozen food and water.