Easter Weekend Travel: One Of The Worst Travel Holidays

CHICAGO, IL — Millions of Easter weekend travelers will take to the highways to visit family and friends. Easter weekend ranks ninth among the Top 10 Worst Travel Days. The heaviest travel day on the Illinois tollway system is expected Friday, April 14, when 1.8 million vehicles are on the road. That's about 200,000 more vehicles than a typical weekday.

Altogether, 6.2 million vehicles are expected to travel the Illinois tollways over the Easter and Passover weekend, from Friday through Monday, according to the Toll Highway Authority. The roads could be slick, however, as there is a 50 percent chance of Chicago-area showers in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon on Friday. Those thunderstorms could run well into the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Saturday weather in northern Illinois should be breezy and warm with highs in the 70s. We might even hit a summery 80 degrees. By nightfall, we could see thunderstorms again. Easter Sunday is expected to be clear with highs in the 60s. Monday's forecast calls for clear skies, too, but cooler temps in the 50s.

Airport Church Services

That rainy weather also could mean delays at O'Hare and Midway airports. If you find yourself stuck at the airport, you could stop into one of the airport chapels for holiday services.

• Good Friday Passion of the Lord: Fri. April 14, 2017, 11:30 a.m. at both O'Hare and Midway
• Holy Saturday,Easter Vigil Mass: Sat. April 15, 2017, 6 p.m. at O'Hare and Midway
• Easter Sunday: Sun. April 16, 2017, 6:30, 9, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at O'Hare; 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Midway

Tollway Construction

Watch out for Illinois Tollway construction zones while you're driving. Many construction zones will be quiet during the holiday travel period, from noon Friday through 9 a.m. Monday. But here is a list of where roadwork still will be under way:

• Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80): Between Ballard Road and Golf Road, traffic is shifted on northbound I-294.
• Jane Adams Memorial Tollway (I-90): At Illinois Route 23, I-90 in both directions is reduced to two lanes.
• Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88): Between U.S. Route 30 in Rock Falls and Chicago Avenue (U.S. Route 52) near Dixon, eastbound traffic is reduced to one lane. At the Farnsworth Avenue Interchange, all ramps are open. However, all traffic on Farnsworth Avenue is currently shifted into the northbound lanes and shoulders on I-88 are closed.
• Illinois Route 390 Tollway: Work continues on the Illinois Route 390 Tollway Project with construction along Thorndale Avenue from I-290 to York Road and on the I-290 Interchange. Traffic is shifted onto frontage roads in both directions between I-290 and York Road.

Work Zone Safety

The Tollway encourages customers to slow down and pay attention in work zones. The speed limit in work zones is in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even when workers are not present. Work zone speed limits are in place to protect workers and drivers alike. Drivers should be prepared for sudden stops, changing traffic patterns, rough surfaces, uneven pavement and slower speeds when entering a work zone. Drivers also may encounter workers near the roadway and large construction equipment entering or leaving traffic lanes.

Illinois State Police Out In Force

The Illinois State Police District 15 will be out in full force throughout the Illinois Tollway system during the holiday weekend. Special enforcement details focused on speeding, distracted driving, seatbelt use and alcohol-related violations will be the focus to help keep motorists safe.

Illinois State Police District 15 reminds motorists that the “Move Over Law" requires motorists to change lanes when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with emergency lights activated. If changing lanes is not safe or possible, motorists are required to slow down and proceed with caution when passing the emergency vehicle. This law also applies to any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated. If you see flashing lights ahead, please move over or slow down.