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Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways, including the timing of the beginning, severity and length. This flu season there are more uncertainties than usual because of the emergence of a new flu virus, H1N1, previously called "swine flu." Scientists are predicting that the H1N1 virus may cause the flu season to be worse than usual with a lot more people getting sick, being hospitalized and dying than during a typical flu seasonal. Click on the above H1N1 flu or seasonal flu logo on this page for the most up-to-date information and to learn about ways to protect yourself and your family from getting ill. Thank you for visiting ready.illinois.gov.
www.Flu.gov - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Influenza website

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a national public awareness campaign to encourage everyone to protect their computers and our nation's critical cyber infrastructure. Cyber security requires vigilance 365 days per year. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), the primary drivers of the Awareness Month, coordinate to shed a brighter light in October on what home users, schools, businesses and governments need to do in order to protect their computers, children, and data. The theme "Our Shared Responsibility" reflects the interconnectedness of the modern world and the message that cyberspace cannot be secured without the help of all computer users.

What Home Users Can Do to Bolster Cyber Security

For more cyber security tips for home users, schools and businesses, visit the Ready.Illinois Cyber Safety page.

The "Get Ready! A disaster preparedness activity book" is a fun new way for children to learn how to prepare for all types of emergencies. The activity book includes a variety of mazes, word searches, crossword puzzles and other activities that help kids understand the importance of preparedness.

Click here for the activity book.

Governor Pat Quinn announced that Illinois' homeland security program ranked in the top four percent of state programs in a recent review of program effectiveness by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Illinois received an overall effectiveness score of 91 out of 100. The national average effectiveness score was 71.

FEMA scorecard gives Illinois program exceptional marks for effectiveness...read full press release

Governor Pat Quinn announced on July 2 that the state's request for federal assistance to local governments and electrical cooperatives that will help them recover from the May 8 wind storm has been approved. The federal disaster declaration will enable local governments and electrical power cooperatives in Franklin, Gallatin, Jackson, Randolph, Saline and Williamson counties to recover 75 percent of their extraordinary costs related to storm response and recovery.

Read full Press Release

Illinois' campaign to encourage people to be prepared for disasters has a new TV spot thanks to the creative efforts of a high school junior from Springfield. Lanphier High School student Brittny Barger submitted the winning entry in the "Ready Illinois High School Challenge" contest, and her script has already been produced as a 30-second TV spot. The contest was sponsored by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF), in cooperation with the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA).

Illinois' first-ever Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) was approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and has been officially accepted by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois State Police, Illinois Terrorism Task Force, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Emergency Services Management Association, Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, and Chicago/Cook County Urban Area.

The plan identifies a statewide strategy that focuses on establishing a single platform so all public safety agencies can share emergency information. The development of the SCIP was a cooperative effort by a consortium of federal, state, and local public safety practitioners working through the Illinois Terrorism Task Force’s Communications Committee and the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee. Annual reviews/updates to the SCIP will be conducted under the auspices of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

The Illinois Terrorism Task Force has developed a training program for governmental and private sector employees on basic safety procedures to follow when faced with a suspicious piece of mail or a bomb. The program includes a threat checklist brochure, a sample action plan for dealing with suspicious packages, and a downloadable 30-minute media presentation with audio narrative. For more information, please visit the Terrorism page of the Ready Illinois website.

Being prepared for disasters and emergencies is important for everyone, but it can be even more critical for special needs individuals, who may rely on the assistance of others during an emergency. A new publication developed by a team of emergency management and health professionals addresses the unique preparedness considerations of individuals with functional needs and their caregivers. "Emergency Preparedness Tips for Those with Functional Needs" offers preparedness tips for people with visual, cognitive, or mobility impairments; citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing; those who utilize service animals or life support systems; and seniors. Please click here for more information.