The very hot weather which occurred over the last 2 weeks further dried out the ground across much of central and southeast Illinois, even in those areas that managed to receive rainfall. 

According to the U.S.

Across the Corn Belt, showers are confined to the far upper Midwest, including the eastern Dakotas.

Substantially cooler air will overspread the Plains and the Midwest during the weekend.

By early next week, near- to below-normal temperatures will cover all areas east of the Rockies, except for a return to hot weather on the northern High Plains.

Across the Corn Belt, showers and thunderstorms are rolling across the northern edge of a ridge of high pressure that continues to produce crop-damaging heat. On the 4th of July, high temperatures reached or exceeded 100° across the majority of the Corn Belt, severely stressing reproductive corn and soybeans.

Across the Corn Belt, unfavorably hot, dry weather covers the Midwest. By July 1, one-fifth to one-half of both corn and soybeans were rated very poor to poor in Indiana (50 and 43%, respectively, for corn and soybeans), Missouri (48 and 49%), Illinois (33 and 31%), Michigan (28 and 27%), Ohio (26 and 30%), and Wisconsin (24 and 25%).

On the Plains, hot, mostly dry weather prevails.

Across the Corn Belt, a record-shattering heat wave continues to trim yield prospects for reproductive corn and soybeans across drought-affected southern and eastern portions of the region.

Across the Corn Belt, a record-shattering heat wave continues to trim yield prospects for reproductive corn and soybeans across drought-affected southern and eastern portions of the region.

Very hot weather will continue across central and southeast Illinois through the Independence Day Holiday.  Areas south of the I-70 corridor will see the hottest weather, with highs well above 100 degrees each day through Monday.  Locations between I-72 and I-70 will be around 100 degrees, while mid to upper 90s prevail further north.

Meanwhile, the hot and dry weather in June

A blistering heat wave (daytime highs reaching 100-110°) will prevail across the central and southern Plains, although cooler air has settled on northern areas.

Across the Corn Belt, dry weather is maintaining concern for corn and soybeans in the central Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Tuesday’s highs will average 4 to 8° below normal from Illinois into Ohio, reducing crop-water demands somewhat. Nevertheless, rain will be needed soon as more corn and soybeans enter reproduction.