CHICAGO — Like your cousin who doesn’t pay his bills on time and squanders money he doesn’t have, Illinois is paying the price — in both cash and reputation — for years of ignored warnings about its pension crisis, the worst in the nation.

Benton – Southern Illinois is no stranger to the devastating effects of severe weather. It was just over one year ago this past week that neighbors were helping neighbors, and communities were banding together to help those in need affected by the Leap Day 2012 Severe Weather outbreak.

Emergency management officials in Franklin County are encouraging the public to use this week to update severe weather plans, conduct drills, and learn more about severe weather in their community. Severe Weather Preparedness Week runs from March 3rd to March 9th, 2013 in Illinois. Activities scheduled for this week include a statewide tornado drill and a storm spotter training session. Franklin County’s

Director of Emergency Management is encouraging citizens to get serious about severe weather preparedness and ensure homes and businesses are equipped with a NOAA All-Hazards Alert Radio.

“Having a NOAA all-hazards alert radio in your home or business is just as important as having a working

smoke detector”, said Director Ryan M. Buckingham. Citizens are encouraged to have several ways to

receive warning information in case your primary method of receiving information is rendered

incapacitated.

A statewide tornado drill will be conducted on Tuesday, March 5th at 10:00 AM. The drill will give everyone

a chance to practice current severe weather plans and procedures.

“Practicing your plan will ensure that you know what to do when a warning is issued. Following a well-made and practiced plan will reduce

confusion and provide a basic level of safety should a real severe weather event occur.” added Buckingham.

Local warning systems will be activated during the drill and citizens are encouraged to practice their severe weather emergency plans at that time.

Emergency Management officials will be hosting a public storm spotter training session on Thursday, March 7th at 6:00 PM at the Christopher Civic Center located at 208 N. Thomas Street in Christopher. In partnership with the National Weather Service, officials will train attendees on how to detect and report severe weather in their community. Attendees will also have a chance at winning one of two NOAA All-Hazards alert radios that will be given away during the event. The training is free of charge and is open to anyone who would like to attend.

For more information on severe weather preparedness visit www.ready.illinois.gov. Additional information on local events scheduled for severe weather preparedness week can be obtained by contacting Franklin County Emergency Management Agency at (618) 439-4EMA.