SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a statewide disaster proclamation following Monday night’s winter storms that left some Illinois counties with power outages, massive snowfall, and life-threatening wind chills.
Pritzker’s administration reported an estimate of 7,000 households were without power as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The governor is encouraging residents to take appropriate measures to safely conserve energy as we weather the current deep freeze.
“I have directed my administration to use all resources at our disposal to keep our communities safe amid dangerous and ongoing winter weather,” Pritzker said. “We are in communication with local governments to ensure they have the support they need in disaster response and recovery operations. 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.”
Extreme cold conditions have frozen wells in states that produce natural gas, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Sub-zero temperatures are driving increased demand and decreased supply, meaning natural gas prices will likely spike.
“Proper home heating is a critical issue during the winter months, and over time has proven deadly for many families,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “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.”
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is offering tips to help households conserve energy while keeping winter safety a priority HERE.
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