Drought Information Statement for Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana
Valid Oct 9, 2025
Issued By: WFO Chicago, Illinois
Contact Information: nws.chicago@noaa.gov
No updates to this product are currently scheduled unless drought conditions worsen significantly
Current statements: drought.gov/drought-information-statements
Previous local statements: www.weather.gov/lot/DroughtInformationStatement
Regional Updates: www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/?dews_region=54&state=All
Drought conditions are worsening and expanding across Illinois.
Severe drought conditions have developed in central Illinois and moderate drought conditions have expanded across much of northern Illinois.

U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought Intensity and Extent
D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of Ford, Iroquois, LaSalle, and Livingston counties in IL
D1 (Moderate Drought): At least portions of all remaining northern IL counties, and a portion of Jasper County, IN
D0 (Abnormally Dry): All remaining areas of northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Four Week Drought Monitor Change
All areas of northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana saw worsening drought conditions over the past four weeks.
Portions of central Illinois saw a change from no drought or abnormally dry conditions to severe drought conditions.

Precipitation
30-day precipitation was below average to much below average in most areas of northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana.

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Below to much below average streamflow on area rivers, creeks, and streams.
Low water levels on some creeks and ponds.

Agricultural Impacts
Below average crop yields and poor pasture conditions in and near central Illinois.

Fire Hazard Impacts
Harvesting amid the dry conditions sparked a number of crop fires recently, burning some hundreds of acres in area around parts of central and northern Illinois.
Burn bans are in effect for select counties in Illinois and northwestern Indiana.

Other Impacts
There are no other known impacts at this time.

Mitigation Actions
Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information.

Agricultural Impacts
Below average crop yields and poor pasture conditions in and near central Illinois.
Dormant or browning lawns.
Dry, cracked soil.
Early fall leaf drop from trees.

Fire Hazard Impacts
Fire spread risk is elevated, but no significant wildfire risk at this time for northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana.
Burn bans are in effect in Ford, Iroquois, and a number of other counties around central Illinois, as well as Newton, Jasper, and Benton counties in Indiana.
Open burning is discouraged in other areas.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Little to no rain is expected around the local area for at least the next week.
Any rain that does fall over the next seven days is expected to be isolated and mainly light, and thus will likely not lead to an improvement in drought conditions.

Drought Outlook
Drought conditions are anticipated to persist and possibly worsen/expand further through the end of the month.
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage