CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Drought conditions are getting worse in central Illinois as a pattern of hot weather and no rain continues.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released on Thursday shows severe drought conditions starting to emerge, after the worse conditions last week was moderate drought.

More than 90% of Tazewell County is experiencing severe drought, with only a small sliver of the southern portion in moderate drought.

A little more than half of Peoria County is experiencing severe drought, mainly in the southern portion of the county. In Fulton County, more than 76% percent of land is in severe drought, with the northwestern portion in moderate drought.

Conditions are relatively better in Woodford County, with only 15% of the county in severe drought.

Across the state, 27%

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