Springfield, IL – Something big is set to shake Illinois this Thursday morning — literally. The state’s emergency officials are urging everyone to take part in a statewide safety exercise known as the Great ShakeOut, designed to help residents practice how to stay safe during sudden emergencies.
According to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), the drill begins Thursday, Oct. 16, and will simulate a major safety event that tests how quickly residents can react. Participants are encouraged to “drop, cover, and hold on” — a move that could save lives in a real crisis.
Illinois sits near two major seismic zones, the New Madrid and the Wabash Valley, both capable of producing strong shaking. Officials say that while no immediate threat is expected, the Great ShakeOut serves as a critical reminder that emergencies can happen anytime — and preparation matters.
“This exercise is about awareness and readiness,” said Acting Director Theodore Berger. “When we practice how to respond, we’re safer as individuals and stronger as a community.”
Residents, schools, and workplaces across Illinois are invited to participate wherever they are — at their desks, in cars, or even at home. The drill only takes a minute but could make a difference when it counts.
To learn how to join or register, visit www.shakeout.org or Ready.Illinois.gov.
