By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

The rain let up, but it’s too late to save some of Illinois’ crops

Fifteen percent of corn and 19 percent of soybeans are in poor to very poor condition. Only about half the corn and soybean crops are in good to excellent condition. The progress report shows 32 percent of corn in the dough stage, and 31 percent of soybeans are setting pods.

In other state news, criminal justice reformers are coming together to get ideas out about reducing the Illinois prison population.

Some of the ideas tossed around during the hearing of the state’s commission on criminal justice reform in Chicago recently included getting those with mental illnesses out of prisons and into treatment programs. Not only is that believed to help alleviate prison overcrowding, but also reduce recidivism.

Other methods suggested include reclassifying certain non-violent offenses as misdemeanors and reviewing or changing minimum sentencing laws.