Illinois
How Illinois soybean farmers deal with the effects of climate change
WATERMAN, Ill. (CBS) – Illinois is the top grower of soybeans in the U.S., most of which is used to feed the chicken and beef eaten by consumers, but climate change is affecting local farmers and may end up affecting what shoppers pay at the store.
About an hour west of Chicago, the pace is a little slower in DeKalb County, where Ryan Frieders, a seventh-generation farmer, and his family grow crops on about 2,400 acres, an area about 10 times the size of Millennium Park.
“We have some of the best soils in the world,” Frieders said.
And no one watches the weather more closely than a farmer.
“Honestly, I think I have five different weather apps on my phone, and I probably check them over a dozen times a day,” he said.
The land has been in the Frieders’ family for 60 years, and Ryan’s father, Ronald, lives just a few miles down the road.
“I graduated in 1970 and basically walked out of high school and started farming with my folks,” said Ronald Frieders.
The elder Frieders said that weather has “always been a challenge,” but it seems that challenge is getting more extreme.
“Everything’s changing it seems like, the temperatures are getting hotter than normal, the water levels are lower than normal,” Ronald said.
Ryan added they’re faced with longer periods of a lack of rain, or what might be called a “flash drought.” Sometimes, they’re faced with more rain than usual, which could delay the planting of their crops.
“It affects our entire year of the farm,” Ryan said.
The changes are all consistent with the Fifth National Climate Assessment’s expectations for Midwest agriculture in a warming world, which include:
- “Excessive spring rain delaying planting.”
- “Rapid transitions between flood and drought.”
- “Warmer temperatures stressing crops.”
Ronald said 2021 was the most difficult harvest that he’s ever experienced.
“Our crops were flattened,” he said.
That came about due to worsening thunderstorm wind damage, which is also linked to climate change in a new study. Ryan said the changes in weather patterns and their effect on crops also has an affect on the farm’s income.
Michael Langemeier, a professor of agriculture economics at Purdue University, said the weather changes are something farmers are discussing more and more.
“I don’t know if it’s directly impacting what the consumers pay to a large degree, yet,” Langemeier said.
He and his team have surveyed 400 farmers nationwide. He asked farmers about how worried they were about the changing weather patterns, and about 25% said they were either “very worried” or “fairly worried.”
“I thought that was a relatively high percent,” Langemeier said.
He added the farmers didn’t talk much about what those changes might be attributed to, “They just talk about it as different, and we’ve got to think about how we’re going to respond to these changes.”
Ryan said it might be difficult to understand how glaciers melting at the earth’s poles affect their farm, “but then you see things happening that aren’t the same as they used to be, and you tend to wonder if the things are more related than you ever thought they were.”
The Frieders farm installed solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and has made changes to their operation in response to the changes in the weather.
Data from the Illinois Soybean Association show that crop yield has not changed significantly over the last decade.
Illinois is full of small towns where the downtown square still serves as the heart of the community. Many are centered on a historic courthouse and ringed by brick buildings, local shops, and cafes. Festivals and farmers’ markets still fill these gathering spaces through the year. The squares feel personal and walkable, keeping an unhurried rhythm that makes them easy to explore. Each one has its own personality shaped by history and local culture.
Galena
This town is one of the best-known towns in Illinois, known for its beautifully preserved 19th-century downtown and dramatic hillside setting. With a population of just a few thousand, the entire town feels like a historic postcard, especially along Main Street, where brick buildings, antique shops, and locally owned boutiques line the steep, walkable streets. The architecture is remarkable and among the best preserved in the Midwest, giving the town a timeless, almost cinematic atmosphere.
Visitors can spend hours exploring the downtown shops, tasting local food, and learning about history at the Ulysses S. Grant Home State Site. Scenic overlooks above the town offer wide views of the river valley, and seasonal events like holiday walks and fall festivals make the square feel even more alive. Galena is especially popular for weekend trips because it combines history, scenery, and a strong small-town identity that makes individuals feel at home.
Woodstock
This town is a classic courthouse-square place with strong Victorian-era character and a lively downtown centered around its historic square. The centerpiece is the Woodstock Opera House and the surrounding courthouse square, which has remained visually consistent for over a century. The town is also famous as the filming location for the movie “Groundhog Day,” which adds a unique cultural layer to the experience.
Things to do in Woodstock include walking the squares’ boutique shops and cafes, visiting the Opera House for unique and entertaining performances, and exploring the filming locations scattered around downtown. The town also hosts farmers’ markets, festivals, and seasonal events that keep the square active year-round. It feels both historic and lively, making it one of the most balanced small-town downtowns in Illinois.
Petersburg
This town is small and quiet, located in central Illinois, with a population of just a few thousand people. Its courthouse square is simple but handsome, surrounded by small shops, cafes, and antique stores that reflect its deeply local character. The pace here stays unhurried, and the town feels more like a preserved community hub than a tourist destination.
Visitors can explore the square, enjoy local diners, and browse antique shops, but the biggest draw is its connection to Abraham Lincoln’s history. Nearby New Salem State Historic Site lets visitors step into a recreated pioneer village where Lincoln once lived. The mix of calm downtown life and major historical significance gives Petersburg a unique and intriguing identity among Illinois towns.
Mount Carroll
This town is one of the most architecturally impressive towns in Illinois, with a downtown that feels like a preserved 1800s historic district. The entire square is surrounded by ornate brick buildings, giving it a rich, old-world environment. With a population of around 1,500, it is quiet, walkable, and deeply rooted in history.
Things to do include exploring antique shops, visiting local cafes, and walking the surrounding residential streets filled with historic homes. Unlike more commercialized towns, Mount Carroll feels peaceful and authentic, making it ideal for visitors who enjoy architecture, photography, and quiet exploration.
Princeton
This town offers a lively but still small courthouse square surrounded by antique stores, boutiques, and locally owned restaurants. With a population of under 10,000, it serves as a hub for the surrounding farming communities, giving it a steady flow of local activity without losing its character. The downtown area is especially known for its welcoming, community-focused feel.
Visitors can shop in antique malls, dine in cozy and relaxing cafes, and attend seasonal festivals that often take over the square. Nearby attractions like the Red Covered Bridge add a scenic countryside element to the experience, making Princeton a mix of historic downtown appeal and rural Illinois beauty.
Clinton
This town has a traditional Midwestern courthouse square that feels clean, simple, and welcoming. Its center is a foundation surrounded by small businesses that serve both locals and visitors passing through central Illinois. With a population of 7,000, it maintains a close-knit community environment.
Things to do include walking around the square, visiting local shops and cafes, and exploring the DeWitt County Museum for a deeper look at the town’s history. Clinton is not heavily tourist-driven, which gives it an authentic everyday feel that reflects small-town Illinois life.
Dixon
This beautiful town has a scenic stretch of the Rock River and a downtown that blends history, culture, and natural beauty. The square and surrounding streets include murals, shops, and cafes, while the riverfront adds a peaceful, open atmosphere. With a population of around 15,000, it is larger than some of the other towns but still retains a strong small-town identity.
Visitors can explore the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, walk along the riverfront parks, and browse downtown shops and restaurants. The combination of presidential history and river scenery makes Dixon stand out as both educational and visually appealing.
Edwardsville
This town has one of the most active and developed town squares on this list, while still maintaining a historic courthouse-centered layout. Located near the St. Louis metro area, it has a population of around 26,000 residents and serves as a regional hub with restaurants, cafes, and shops surrounding the square. Despite its growth, it still holds onto its small-town character through community events and preserved architecture.
Visitors can enjoy dining downtown, attending farmers’ markets, and walking through the courthouse square during festivals and concerts. The town also offers nearby trails and parks, making it a great mix of outdoor recreation and downtown appeal. Edwardsville shows how a town square can stay relevant while adapting to modern growth.
Where The Square Still Matters
Overall, these Illinois towns show just how diverse and meaningful small-town squares can be. Some feel frozen in time with preserved architecture and quiet streets, while others are active hubs of local life filled with entertaining events and commerce. What they all share is a strong sense of place, where the town square is not just a location, but the identity of the community itself.
Illinois
Man charged with trespassing at Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s home in Chicago on July 4: documents
CHICAGO (WLS) — A man has been charged with trespassing at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s home in Chicago, court documents show.
The incident happened around on July 4 on the city’s North Side.
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A suspect was arrested by police around 10:06 p.m. after he was allegedly seen on camera jumping over a fence and trespassing in the backyard of Pritzker’s house in the Gold Coast neighborhood.
Dwayne Cortez Milton has been charged with trespassing, Cook County court documents showed.
The suspect was ordered to be released from custody in this case pending his trial, but he was been ordered to not return to the property.
However, Milton pleaded guilty in a separate theft case on July 7, and he is currently in custody for that case, documents show.
Milton is scheduled to appear in court again July 27 for the trespassing case.
No further information about the trespassing incident was immediately available.
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An 18-year-old man is hospitalized after he was found shot in Joliet, Illinois, on Saturday evening.
Joliet police said around 6:46 p.m., officers responded to the area of East Benton Street and Polson Place for a report of a man shot.
Upon arrival, officers found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds to his back and left arm. Police said officers immediately rendered medical aid until Joliet Fire Department paramedics arrived.
The victim was taken to Silver Cross Hospital with life-threatening injuries before later being transferred to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood for further treatment.
Spent shell casings were found after detectives canvassed the area.
Police said there is no description of a suspect and the shooting remains under active investigation.
Anyone with video footage or information related to this shooting is asked to contact the Joliet Police Department Investigations Division at 815-724-3020. Anonymous tipsters can contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or submit a tip online at crimestoppersofwillcounty.org.
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