Peoria Standard

In a Nov. 21 Facebook post, Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) encouraged Illinois residents to stay safe in winter weather.

"Stay safe this winter as the temperatures begin to drop!" Barickman posted. 

The Illinois Department of Transportation is asking community members to stay safe during winter weather, especially if they're going to be out and driving.

 "While our top priority is making sure our roads are safe for the motoring public, we do ask the motoring public to do their part as well,” Anna Ghidina, the traffic operations engineer for IDOT District 4 that includes the Tri-County area, said. “Together we're reminding the people we serve safety is everyone's responsibility.” 

Ghidina spoke Wednesday at IDOT’s maintenance facility in Edwards during the launch of this year’s “Winter Weather – Get It Together” awareness campaign. She said IDOT prepares year-round for its winter operations.

The "Winter Weather, Get it Together" campaign launched with several tips for drivers. 

"Consider taking public transportation if it is an option" a message from the campaign said. "Prepare an emergency kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food and a first-aid kit. Carry a cell phone and a car charger in case of emergency. Follow Scott’s Law. Slow down and move over for stopped emergency, construction and maintenance vehicles."

Barickman has served in the Illinois Senate since 2013, and spent two years as a state representative before that, according to the Illinois General Assembly.