So says the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln: The vast majority of the state is enduring a severe drought, with towns in southern Illinois getting less than two-thirds of normal July rainfall. Gov. Pat Quinn will be in southern Illinois Monday to discuss what strategy the state has to deal with the lack of rainfall.

Cook County, meanwhile, is enduring a moderate drought: Trees are "stressed out," according to a Chicago Park District official. The Park District is asking residents who live near Chicago parks to lend their hoses for the trees.