SPRINGFIELD, IL - The U.S. Drought Monitor says about 70 percent of Illinois is in a drought, while northern Illinois is "extremely-dry."

Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel says it was warm and dry all spring, and he says the summer looks like it will be more of the same.

University of Illinois Extension educator Dennis Bowman says Illinois' crops are starting to show signs of stress. Bowman says corn roots, for example, don't like to grow in dry soil conditions and some plants sent into the university's Plant Clinic are showing signs of nutrient deficiency.

Kane County corn and soybean farmer Joe White says his crops are definitely suffering, and he says the last time he saw conditions this severe was during the drought of 1988.