State launches new trip-planning website

By Carla Thornquist

The Illinois Department of Transportation launched a website, www.gettingaroundillinois.com, that allows visitors to check for locations of rest areas, construction zones and weigh stations, find out which roads aren't yet cleared of snow, and even locate remote gas stations and tourist traps.

The "Find A Location" page provides several areas of interest. Searches can be conducted by address, intersection, zip code, community (city) or by selecting a Point of Interest.

The "Points of Interest" links include the following main categories:

Family, Health and Safety
Education and Career Development
Travel and Recreation
Illinois Government

Subcategories under the "Points of Interest" links include the address locations for hospitals, schools, libraries, airports, museums, restaurants and much more.

Almost all the features available on Getting Around Illinois, are already present on IDOT and other websites. What they did was create "one stop shopping" for travelers in Illinois.

On the Net: www.gettingaroundillinois.com