SPRINGFIELD - Illinois' dry season is expected to get worse said experts Thursday working with the state's drought task force.

The task force met for the first time to look at the drought that is sweeping across Illinois and could get worse in the next two weeks.

"The weather climate forecast for the next two weeks don't indicate the situation where you would expect the widespread soaking rains that we need," said Derek Winstanley, chief of the Illinois State Water Survey.

Hurricane Dennis in the Gulf of Mexico may help create rain for Southern Illinois, he said.

"None of the forecasts have that extending far enough to Central and Northern Illinois to alleviate the bull's-eye of the drought," he said.

Winstanley and other state officials met in Springfield as part of the Illinois Drought Response Task Force to discuss the possible effects of the water shortage.

The task force reported that the state's drinking supply is not in danger.

So far, 89 of the state's 102 counties have reported drought conditions to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, 37 percent of the state's corn crop is being rated poor to very poor, 27 percent of the soybean crop was given a similar grade.

"Particularly with the corn crop, it's at a very critical growing stage," said Steve Chard, with the state agriculture department. "If we don't get significant rainfall during that particular period of time, it could greatly reduce yields by this fall,"

The group will meet again in two weeks. During that time, state agencies will continue to monitor water levels.

"What we will be doing in the next two weeks should tell us a lot more about the severity of the drought," said Roger Selburg of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

To learn more about the drought and water conservation tips, visit www.sws.uiuc.edu/highlites/drought.

Matt Adrian can be reached at matt.adrian@;lee.net or 789-0865.