Illinois transportation and law enforcement officials are reminding drivers to make safe choices during the busy Independence Day holiday travel period.

The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and local law enforcement agencies have launched the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which runs through the early morning hours of July 6.

According to provisional IDOT data, Illinois recorded 17 fatal crashes and 18 traffic deaths during last year’s Independence Day holiday travel period. Four of those crashes involved drivers who had been drinking.

In addition to looking for impaired drivers, officers across the state will be increasing enforcement of seat belt, speeding, and distracted driving laws.

Officials encourage anyone planning to drink alcohol or use cannabis to arrange for a sober driver, use a rideshare service, or stay where they are instead of getting behind the wheel.

TODAY

Mostly sunny and very warm to start, then the storm chance rises later in the day. Highs reach the upper 80s to near 90, with a light southwest breeze. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 9 p.m. Saturday, and the better chance for showers and thunderstorms develops after mid afternoon, with any stronger storm capable of heavy downpours, hail, and damaging wind gusts.  

TONIGHT

Showers and thunderstorms remain likely early in the evening, then coverage gradually trends lower later at night. Lows fall into the low 70s, with light wind. It does not look like nonstop rain, but evening outdoor plans, including fireworks, will need a weather eye.  

TOMORROW

Partly sunny, warm, and still somewhat unsettled, with storms becoming more likely as the day goes on. Highs reach the mid 80s, with light wind. Much of the first half of the day looks more usable, but the second half becomes less reliable as showers and thunderstorms become more common.  

TOMORROW NIGHT

Showers and thunderstorms remain likely early, then fade back later in the evening and overnight. Lows settle near 70. It should turn quieter with time, and the air will feel a little less oppressive than the previous few nights.  

MONDAY

Partly sunny and still hot, but not quite as extreme as the holiday weekend. Highs reach the mid 80s, with a more humid feel and at least a low-end thunderstorm chance around. This looks more manageable than Saturday, but not completely quiet from start to finish.

MONDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy and seasonably mild, with lows in the mid 60s. Any leftover storm chance looks limited, and quieter weather should win out for most of the night.

TUESDAY

Clouds and sun mix with a stray thunderstorm chance, and highs recover into the mid 80s. Heat is still around, but not as punishing as the late-week surge, and much of the day still looks usable.

TUESDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy and muggy again, with lows in the upper 60s. Quiet weather generally holds overnight, even if a completely dry forecast is not guaranteed.

WEDNESDAY

 Mostly cloudy and humid with a thunderstorm possible in spots during the afternoon. Highs reach the mid 80s. This keeps the pattern a little unsettled, though it still does not look like an all-day rain setup.

7 DAY FORECAST

The main concerns are the late-day storm chance on the Fourth and then a hot, humid stretch that continues into next week. Saturday and Sunday both carry storm chances, with the Fourth looking more active later in the day and Sunday staying somewhat unsettled. After that, temperatures settle into the 80s with occasional storm chances lingering into midweek, so the pattern stays summerlike even though the worst of the heat eases back a bit.  

IOWA CITY, Iowa. — Fans at Kinnick Stadium for Savannah Bananas game are encouraged to take cover as storm hits Iowa City.

University of Iowa Police confirmed at least three children have been reported missing in the crowds below the concourse. One missing child is a two-year-old girl.

A lightning delay was issued at 5:45pm where announcements were made over the loud speaker and the video board provided instructions as to were instructed to exit the stands.

Stadium operations projected a map of shelter locations including the Indoor Track, Field House, Carver Hawkeye Arena and the Dental Building.

The hallways leading to the concourse are packed with fans trying to stay out of the rain, leaving little to no room to move around.

Security has paused entrance to the stadium, as hundreds of fans are outside in the rain.

The game may not resume until 30 minutes following the last lighting strike.