Illinois officials are encouraging school children to participate in a contest by submitting artistic designs to decorate rain barrels.

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Correctional Industries are teaming up to sponsor the 2nd annual event.

Forty-five submissions will be chosen. Each of those schools will receive a rain barrel created by Correctional Industries.

Designs for the rain barrels should pertain to Earth Day, the environment or include a scene depicting nature.

Schools may enter the contest in 1 of 3 divisions: 3rd to 5th grade, 6th to 8th grade and high school.

Artwork must be submitted by March 30. Winners will be announced the week before Earth Day, which is April 22.