The amateur radio station at the National Weather Service Chicago Forecast Office in Romeoville, Illinois is coordinated by forecaster Bill Wilson, KB9ZXN. Staffing of the station is coordinated by Woody Niswonger, KB9YBK, and Phil Rittenhouse, NW9V. The NWS station is not operated by ARES; however, ARES nationwide offers help to the National Weather Service and SKYWARN when needed.

The SKYWARN network of trained weather spotters is utilized along with amateur radio to provide real-time, informed reports of severe weather in the area. Local community ARES^® groups in Will County will operate nets on their local repeaters and report to the county primarily on the 147.330 MHz repeater in Bolingbrook and secondarily on the WCARES 444.550 MHz repeater (+ 114.8) if not in range of the Bolingbrook repeater. The amateur radio station at the NOAA office will monitor area county nets.

Here is a list of weather spotter frequencies used in the State of Illinois.

Here is a link to a calendar of area weather spotter training events for Spring 2005.

Here is a Storm Spotter FAQ from the NWS Chicago Forecast office.

Here is a link to pictures from 2004 SKYWARN Recogition Day at the NWS Chicago Forecast office.

Check back frequently for updated information on this page.