http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-eclipse-traffic-delays-20170822-story.html

The photo of the Johnston City exit was shared on the Tribune headline story. (Scott Olson, Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL  – (Nerida Moreno, Chicago Tribune.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below)

It took Ann McNamara nearly 15 hours to complete what is typically a five-hour trip from downstate Illinois to Chicago as thousands headed back home after the solar eclipse, clogging nearly every major highway.

McNamara, 56, of Irving Park, left Lake Egypt around 4:45 p.m. Monday but was trapped on I-57 in standstill traffic with her two young boys.

“It was the worst traffic I’ve ever seen, and I grew up in Chicago,” she said. “There were trucks pulled over on the exit ramps, on the shoulders of exit ramps, on the shoulders of the highway. A few times, I shut the car off for up to 40 minutes. So it was really bad.”

by ReAnne Palmer, Rend Lake College Public Information

Learn some new skills this fall with three hobby classes through Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education Division. In October, take on treasure hunting with a metal detecting course or try your hand at balloon art, and in November, freshen up your appearance with a makeup class.

First up in October is Metal Detecting and Treasure Hunting for Beginners. Participants will learn the basics about metal detecting from expert Charles Conaughty, including how to evaluate what type and quality detector is right for your needs. Conaughty will also cover rights and responsibilities for treasure seekers through his tales of traveling abroad.

The class costs $10 and meets from 6 – 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 114, on the Ina campus.

Later in October, join recent RLC graduate Ryan Bushur to learn Balloon Twisting 101 to be the star at your next party. Participants of any skill level will learn how to properly twist professional balloon art, and will take away high-quality balloons and a pump.
The class costs $40, plus a $30 supply fee, and meets from 3 – 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, and 24 in the Historic Schoolhouse on the Ina campus.

In November, take the stage with RLC Theatre Professor Tracey Webb for Corrective / Contour Makeup to cover everything about basic makeup techniques. Webb will help participants highlight, shade, and blend features. A supply list will be mailed to each attendee at the time of registration.

The class costs $15 and meets from 6 – 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 154, on the Ina campus. Participants should bring their own make up and be over the age of 13.

For more information or to register for these classes, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714 or commcorped@rlc.edu.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

The Storm Prediction Center continues outlook a marginal to
slight risk of severe thunderstorms for the entire area today.
The slight risk area generally covers southwest Indiana and the
Pennyrile region of western Kentucky. Damaging wind and hail will
be the primary hazards. Locally heavy rain, capable of producing
isolated flooding, is also likely with any storms that form.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Wednesday through Monday

A chance of thunderstorms will return to the forecast on Monday.
Severe storms are not anticipated at this time. Lightning and
heavy rainfall look to be the main concerns.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation may be required today, mainly over portions of
southwest Indiana and western Kentucky.

Seven Day Outlook

Today
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 10am and 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South southwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. West northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind 5 to 7 mph.
Wednesday Night
Clear, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming north northeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. East northeast wind around 6 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. East northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Light northeast wind.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.

by Steve Dunford

The intersection of South Main Street and State Route 34 in Thompsonville at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon (Kevin Smith photo)

After a weekend in which there was not much stirring here in Franklin County, I spent from about 9:30 a.m. until I ate supper around six passing on traffic reports.  The crowd that was anticipated on area roads over the weekend was in Franklin County today.

The traffic detail has been pulled at the Zeigler four way just in the last five minutes, from scanner traffic that I picked up from Franklin County Emergency Management.

North Thompsonville Road, South Thompsonville Road, Deering Road, Old Marion Road, and Freeman Spur Road also experienced major backups.

Traffic is still heavy on Interstate 57 and State Route 37 in Franklin County.  Regionally Routes 51, 127, 142, 45 and 1 has heavy traffic still.  It might be well into the night before they clear up.

Thank you all that passed information on to me throughout the day.  It makes my job so much easier in keeping the people of Franklin and surrounding counties informed.

I am calling it a day.  The two minutes of totality this afternoon was one of the most incredible sites that I have witnessed in my lifetime.  I took the last few minutes and scrolled through some incredible pictures that were shared.

Again thank you all for your assistance and being the eyes and ears for me this morning and afternoon.  I hope some of the same will choose to make Southern Illinois their viewing spot on April 8, 2024.