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Officials: Don't Take Tollways Unless It's An Emergency

CHICAGO (STMW) - As the Illinois Tollway battles the blizzard, officials are advising drivers to stay home Wednesday morning unless there is an emergency.

From 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 reported 38 crashes, 133 assists to motorists, 8 requests for service and 18 vehicles towed, a release from the Tollway said.

The Tollway continues its full deployment of all 183 snow plow trucks in an effort to combat blizzard conditions and keep all 286 miles of roadways clear of snow and ice, the release said.

Meanwhile, Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur is recommending drivers stay home and don't utilize the tollways Wednesday morning to get to work.

"Travel on the Illinois Tollway is not recommended tomorrow morning," LaFleur said in the release. "We are urging our customers to stay home unless it's an extreme emergency."

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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