SPRINGFIELD – About 70 percent of Illinois is in a drought, the U.S. Drought Monitor said Friday, and northern Illinois is "extremely dry," prompting the state to activate its Drought Response Task Force for the first time since 2005.

It was warm and dry all spring, Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel said Friday, and the summer looks like it will be more of the same. Botanic gardens are using more water and canoeists are moving to deeper rivers.

"We're used to certain seasons in Illinois, but it's as if our weather is three to four weeks ahead of schedule," Angel said.