The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 every year. The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Based on a 30-year climate period from 1991-2020, an average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. The first named storm typically forms in mid to late June, the first hurricane tends to form in early to mid-August, and the first major hurricane forms in late August or early September. 

Whether you call it soda or pop, Illinois boasts a number of unique soft drinks. The most popular of those brands include Green River, RC Cola, Ski and Dog n Suds root beer. Soft drink production dates back to over a century ago in Illinois. These signature soft drinks have been produced in the Chicago, Champaign, and in the southern Illinois community of Breese in Clinton County.

Illinois House Republican Reps. Jennifer Sanalitro

(R-Bloomingdale) and Jason R. Bunting (R-Emington) recently delivered for kids in their districts by hosting School Supply Drives. Donations of various school supply items were dropped off at their district offices and were distributed to area schools for children in need of assistance.

“I hosted this Back to School Supply Drive to help the students and families in our district that might need a little extra help this back to school season,” Rep. Sanalitro stated. “Getting ready to go back to school can be one of the more stressful times for a family. Having to buy new clothes, shoes, and other supplies can become expensive very quickly, especially since inflation has dramatically increased costs.”

High school sports are a staple of life in Illinois, providing thousands of children and teenagers the opportunities to compete, learn life lessons, and have fun outside of the normal classroom routine. Extra-curricular activities are a vital part of the overall educational experience. Many communities are defined by their schools, and mascot names can be derived from local history or culture. When it comes to mascot names, Illinois school districts show off their creative identities in many ways, and there are over 150 unique names.

Mike Marron, a fifth-generation family farmer, has devoted his life to public service through several avenues. The Fithian native charted a diverse and unique path to Springfield, where he has served with the Illinois House Republicans since 2018. Rep. Marron’s vast life experiences include a passion for rodeo, which he developed during his high school years and continues to this day.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Tim Mapes, key aide to former Speaker Madigan, convicted in federal court. The former chief of staff to the office of the Speaker was found guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice. The charges were related to false answers that Mapes voiced to a federal grand jury when he was being questioned under oath. The false answers were closely related to a parallel criminal inquiry mounted by federal investigators against Mapes’ former boss, Chicago’s Michael J. Madigan.

Periods of warm, dry, and windy weather can lead to the dangers of wildfires burning in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) urges Illinois residents to become more vigilant and educated on wildfire safety so that incidents of fires can be prevented. In the last decade there have been instances of large fires at state park properties.