Illinois Issues Urgent Travel Warnings for Solar Eclipse in April

As the historic total solar eclipse in April draws closer, Illinois has issued urgent travel warnings for those who plan to witness the totality of the sun through the southern part of the state.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is advising that anyone who's planning to travel through or to the southern part of the state where the eclipse will reach totality to take urgent precautions. This is the path that the eclipse will take beginning early in the afternoon of April 8.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the highways of concern include Interstate 57 which will lead to the path of totality and Interstate 45 which will cross where the total eclipse will occur.

Illinois warns that if you are planning to witness the eclipse in the state that you do not pull over to the side of a roadway shoulder no matter if it's a side road, highway or interstate.

They also advise that you be aware that you will need to turn on your headlights during totality as many vehicles will not automatically switch to lights on quick enough to be safe.

If you find yourself driving during totality, Illinois says you should not even consider trying to take a photo. As other states have also warned, do not drive with eclipse glasses on.

Carbondale, Marion and Effingham, Illinois are expected to be some of the busier cities in the southern part of the state. If you plan to witness the eclipse in or near any of them, make sure you allow extra driving time prior to and after the total eclipse event.

Make sure to check the official Illinois Department of Transportation website for updates as we get closer to this historic sky event so we can all enjoy it safely and successfully.