Gov. JB Pritzker holds his daily briefing on the COVID-19 crisis from the Thompson Center on March 26.
Gov. JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for the entire state in response to the winter storm that has brought life threatening wind chills, power outages and accumulating snow.
As of 10:30 a.m. Feb. 16, about 7,000 Illinois households were without power, and the state is expecting that number to fluctuate with the arctic temperatures and extreme weather continuing.
According to a press release, “all Illinois residents are encouraged to take appropriate measures to safely conserve energy” to help alleviate the stress on the nation’s part.
“I have directed my administration to use all resources at our disposal to keep our communities safe amid dangerous and ongoing winter weather. We are in communication with local governments to ensure they have the support they need in disaster response and recovery operations,” Pritzker said.
“We are also working with our federal partners to pursue federal assistance to help communities recover and to do what we can to protect ratepayers from soaring utility bills. I urge all Illinoisans to take this extreme weather seriously, avoid all unnecessary travel and check in on your neighbors.”
The temperatures are resulting in increased demand and decreased supply across the nation which is causing the prices of natural gas to spike.
Utility companies across the nation are reporting increasing wholesale costs. Without federal involvement, those increased prices may result in higher utility bills for Illinois residents in the near future.
“Proper home heating is a critical issue during the winter months, and over time has proven deadly for many families,” Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau said.
“If using an alternative heating source during this extreme weather, take a moment to ensure that your carbon monoxide detector is working properly. The proper safety precautions can save lives during extreme weather.”
Pritzker is encouraging all Illinois residents to check on their neighbors, especially elderly neighbors who might need assistance, over the course of the next few days.
If individuals are unable to get in touch with their neighbors or are worried, they can contact their local law enforcement for a welfare check.
According to the press release, “statistics show 46 percent of individuals expect to rely on the people in their neighborhood for assistance within the first 72 hours after an emergency or disaster.”
Tips for staying safe on the road and at home are available in the IEMA’s and the National Weather Service’s Winter Weather Preparedness Guide. The guide is also available in a digital form on the Ready Illinois website.
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