IEMA updates Ready Illinois website

'One-stop shop' for community and individual preparedness information now easier to use

[December 17, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- The state's website for community and individual information disaster preparedness is now even easier to use. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency launched an updated Ready Illinois website, www.ready.illinois.gov, last week to help connect people with information they need to be prepared for many types of emergencies.

"The Ready Illinois website is a 'one-stop shop' for information on what to do before, during and after a disaster," said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. "Since the website was first launched in 2007, more than half a million people have turned to Ready Illinois for disaster preparedness-related information. This revision will help them find needed emergency preparedness information more quickly."

In addition to offering guidance on developing an emergency preparedness plan and building home emergency kits, the website also provides real-time emergency updates during disasters, including road closures, shelter locations and more. During the February 2011 blizzard, the site had more than 2 million hits in just a three-day period.

The website's new home page offers quick links to the most popular topics, including preparedness, recovery, news releases and current issues. Current weather conditions from the National Weather Service are also available on the home page.

Other site features include guidance on preparedness for families with pets, children and people with access or functional needs; tips on how to make your home more disaster-resistant; and links to other emergency information resources.

A current feature on the Ready Illinois website is a winter storm preparedness sweepstakes to encourage people to be prepared for snow, ice and bitterly cold temperatures. Five participants in the sweepstakes will win vehicle preparedness kits donated by Grainger.

Content on the Ready Illinois website can be translated into Chinese, Filipino, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish.

[Text from Illinois Emergency Management Agency file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]