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Task force members are having their third meeting today (Wednesday)
at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources headquarters. They
will report the most current information on drought conditions as
they cooperatively update the response action plan. Task force
members represent the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources, the Illinois State Water Survey, the Illinois
Fire Marshal's Office, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Since the last meeting of the task force, on July 29, a strong
cold front pushed through Illinois, bringing precipitation totals of
1 to 3 inches across northern and eastern Illinois, while amounts of
less than an inch were reported in southern Illinois. Even with the
rains, the long-term rainfall deficits remain large in northern and
western Illinois.
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 Illinois farmers received support from the governor last week.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns approved Illinois Gov.
Blagojevich's request for USDA assistance programs, including
low-interest emergency loans. Blagojevich's request was based on
reports from county Farm Service Agency offices as well as
conditions in the Illinois Weather & Crops Report. ["USDA gives
swift approval of Illinois counties as agricultural disaster areas"]
[Illinois
Department of Natural Resources media advisory]
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