Two years ago, Illinoisans suffered from bone-chilling temperatures, brought on by the polar vortex. Could these record-breaking and deadly weather events become more frequent? And what’s in store for the rest of this winter?

Temperatures rose above zero in parts of Illinois at the end of the week, as a deep freeze started to lift after bringing record-breaking cold to the state.

Subzero temperatures closed schools across central and northern Illinois Wednesday, and many remained closed on Thursday. But the Chrisman school district in Edgar County held classes as usual --- although the results were not what its superintendent had expected.

Despite the closings, the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District continued their bus routes and offered free rides to help commuters who had to brave the cold.

Illinois officials issued dire warnings ahead of the arctic cold blowing into the state Tuesday night.