What’s behind Illinois’ record year for tornadoes?
Michael Yager is president and CEO of Mid America Motorworks, a manufacturer of parts for classic Corvettes and Volkswagens. The Effingham business was hit by an EF-3 tornado on June 17, 2026. Abigail Bottar/IPM News
It’s been a wild couple weeks for severe weather in Illinois. We’ll talk with reporters who’ve covered the aftermath of storms in Effingham and Charleston. We’ll also hear from an organization that’s been scrambling to place dozens of dogs and cats with foster homes after a tornado tore the roof off an animal shelter in Springfield.
Then, the bigger picture with a group of climate scientists. Illinois has had a record number of tornadoes this year, and the figure is still growing. They'll talk about what's behind that, and whether it's our new normal.
Discussed
- National Weather Service:
- IPM News: Effingham Tornado Flattens Family-Owned Corvette Museum, Downs Trees, Power Lines
- IPM News: Coles County Tornado Leaves Charleston Residents without Power, Damaging Trees and Homes
- KFVS-TV: 2 Dead, 5 Injured in Jefferson County, Illinois Due to Reported Tornado
- The 21st Show (May 6, 2020): Why The Term ‘Tornado Alley’ May Do More Harm Than Good
- Illinois State Climatologist
Guests
Abigail Bottar
Agricultural and Environmental Reporter, Illinois Public Media News
Sam Rink
Reporter/Host/Associate Producer, Illinois Public Media News
Fraily Rodriguez
Senior Director of Lifesaving Programs, Best Friends Animal Society
Trent Ford
Illinois State Climatologist
Robert Trapp
Professor of Atmospheric Sciences • Director of the School of Earth, Society and Environment
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Steve Nesbitt
Professor and Head of the Department of Climate, Meteorology, and Atmospheric Sciences
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
