Midwest facing huge winter threat

The threat of winter weather is forcing many to cancel plans and will likely make driving anywhere in the state an arduous task. The storm taking aim at the Midwest has caused the Illinois Pork Producers Association to reschedule its 2011 Pork Expo. The trade show originally was scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday at the Peoria Civic Center. It's been postponed until Feb. 15 and 16. The expected storm also prompted the Illinois Legislature to cancel sessions this week. Meanwhile the Illinois Department of Transportation plans to put more emergency traffic patrol trucks on the roads to clear stalled vehicles and help stranded motorists. IDOT spokesman Guy Tidgell says extra mechanics also will be on duty in case equipment fails. And the department has plenty of salt and drivers to handle what the National Weather Service says could be a life-threatening storm. IDOT is recommending that people adjust their schedules to be off the roads Tuesday and Wednesday. The blizzard could bring white-out conditions with snow falling at rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour in some areas.