LODA — State police are asking farmers and rural landowners in Ford and Iroquois counties to check their outbuildings and sheds for a mentally ill man who was last seen at a rest area on Interstate 57 nearly a month ago.

District 21 state police investigator Brad Cosgrove said Elliott Ratliff, 41, of Streator was last seen Jan. 26 at a rest area between Buckley and Loda. Ratliff, a paranoid schizophrenic, ran from the rest stop while suffering from delusions, Cosgrove said.

Police are concerned for his safety because he was not wearing a hat, gloves or coat.

Surveillance video showed Ratliff “taking off in a sprint” from the northbound rest stop, at mile post 267 on the east side of Interstate 57, Cosgrove said. Ratliff ran toward U.S. 45.

Ratliff was a passenger in a car driven by a longtime friend, and they were headed home from Florida, Cosgrove said. The friend told police that when Ratliff disappeared at the rest stop, he looked for him but could not find him.

Police reviewed surveillance footage and determined Ratliff never returned, Cosgrove said. His family and friends have not heard from him since, Consgrove said.

Volunteer firefighters from Paxton, Loda and Buckley used four-wheelers and snow mobiles to try to find him, he said.

State police also conducted searches by helicopter. Cosgrove said another aerial search was being done Tuesday.

Ratliff is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds. He is bald and was last seen wearing a blue, long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and boots.

Anyone with information about Ratliff’s whereabouts is asked to call Cosgrove at 815-698-2615.