RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Powerful storms that swept across the Chicago area Monday left neighborhoods in the south suburbs picking up the pieces after five tornadoes touched down — damaging homes, uprooting trees and adding to what has already been an active tornado season in Illinois.
An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 110 mph impacted Lansing, according to the National Weather Service. The fifth tornado, an EF-0 that touched down just south of Wheaton College, was confirmed only Wednesday .
Rob Griffin, a Lansing resident, told the Sun-Times he underestimated the severity of the storm that hit his far south suburb.
"Even though they had the sirens on and sent alerts to our phones, I kind of ignored it because most times they do that as more of a warning," Griffin said. "So I didn’t heed the warning.”
As tornado season continues to surge across Illinois, here's what you need to know.
What happened during Monday’s storms?
Five powerful storms swept across the Chicago area Monday according to the National Weather Service, causing significant damage to homes and trees. They also brought significant rainfall, with McCook Reservoir nearing capacity. It was just the lastest episode in what already has been an active tornado season in Illinois.
For Lansing resident Abo Lorebelo, the storm was unlike anything he had experienced in the four years he's lived there. He and his family sheltered in their basement while the tornado moved through, but their home still suffered major roof damage.
Why are there so many tornadoes in Illinois this year?
So far this year, Illinois has experienced a record number of tornadoes.
Meteorologists say multiple rounds of severe weather this spring and summer have contributed to the elevated tornado count.
Before Monday's storms, the weather service estimated the state already had recorded 183 tornadoes, far surpassing the previous record of 142 tornadoes, set in 2024. The total is expected to change as the weather service routinely updates its storm survey database.
Can tornadoes happen in the Chicago area?
Yes, and they have.
While many people associate tornadoes with rural communities, Monday’s storms served as another reminder that tornadoes can impact communities throughout Chicago and its suburbs.
Victor Gensini, director of Northern Illinois University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Convective Storms, has previously warned residents never to assume tornadoes cannot hit densely populated areas.
What should I do after a tornado alert?
Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford said every Midwesterner should have the proper plans in place in the event of severe weather warnings, making sure family members are safe and together and know what to do. Things like going down into the basement (if you have one) and keeping your phone and other electronic items charged in case of outages. Also make sure to follow messaging from the National Weather Service.
Some residents admitted they, like Griffin in Lansing, underestimated Monday's storm despite emergency alerts being sent to cellphones and the blaring of tornado sirens.
"I think they're doing a good job of warning us," said Griffin, who lost nearly all of his roof during the storm. "Hopefully, we, as citizens, will take heed to that."
Are tornadoes becoming more common in Illinois?
To see just how active the 2026 tornado season has been, consider this.
The University of Illinois climatologist's office added up how many tornadoes occurred in the state in July over the 70-year span from 1950-2020. The answer: 181.
That's 181, total. Over all 70 years.
With 2026's statewide tally, Illinois already has exceeded that total in less than a year.
So while tornado activity can change from year to year, 2026's activity has reached the highest point in recent years.
Still, it doesn't mean Illinois is the new Tornado Alley. Yet.
That phrase is a “media colloquialism” coined in the early 1950s and is in no way an official designation, Gensini has previously cautioned the Sun-Times.
“If I ask 100 of my meteorology friends to define" what Tornado Alley is, he said, "they’d each have a different answer."
According to some definitions, Illinois actually has been considered part of Tornado Alley for some time. Initially, the nickname applied to southwestern states ravaged by twisters in the last century, such as Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
Is climate change causing more tornadoes?
The answer isn't straightforward.
Ford told the Sun-Times warmer temperatures and increased moisture in the atmosphere can create environments that favor stronger thunderstorms.
However, researchers say the relationship between climate change and tornadoes themselves remains less certain.
Ford said a warmer, more humid climate may be contributing to more environments favorable for severe storms, though scientists are still studying exactly how those conditions affect tornado frequency.
What happens next?
The National Weather Service will continue surveying storm damage across the region throughout the week to determine the final strength and paths of Monday’s tornadoes.
As cleanup continues, many Lansing residents say the storm has changed how they will respond the next time severe weather warnings are issued. For Griffin and others across the south suburbs, Monday’s storms were a reminder that preparation and taking warnings seriously can make a difference when severe weather strikes.
Contributing: Brett Chase
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