Beaches

When you think about getting outside and enjoying nature in Illinois, what comes to mind? Experts say that if you're really looking for the best state park to visit in the Land of Lincoln, you need to go to a beach. Really.

You need to be as safe before you get in the water as you hopefully are when you're swimming. There are now 25 water areas in Illinois that have been declared too unsafe for swimming due to dangerous bacteria levels.

Summertime is all about getting outside and enjoying the nice weather and swimming is a vital part of that. However, there are now 38 places in Illinois that now have urgent swimming warnings about staying out of the water.

You might want to be careful before you get in the water if you have outdoor weekend plans in Wisconsin. There are advisories for at least 26 beaches in the state that have recently tested positive for elevated bacteria levels.

Don't go in the water. That's the advisory that many Illinois water places currently have with many being issued after recent water tests around the state.

I grew up in the Missouri generation that lived dangerously. We drank directly out of water hoses because we were daredevils. Yes, a little sarcasm here, but it's a real concern with the upcoming 4th of July holiday weekend about the latest status of lakes and beaches in Missouri. The state has the latest bacteria test results available.

A regular weekend ritual in Wisconsin is heading to your favorite water place and for some that also means swimming. You need to know that there's an urgent warning saying no swimming is suddenly allowed at 20 Wisconsin beaches for multiple reasons.

If you were planning on swimming at an Illinois lake this weekend, you might want to check the status first as suddenly there are urgent orders at a half dozen Illinois water places to avoid swimming at all costs.

Illinois has challenges as all states do. The state also has lots of things to brag about. There's all that Abraham Lincoln history. If you're a baseball fan, there are the White Sox and Cubs. The one thing I do believe that Illinois should get more credit for is its...beaches. Yes, Illinois really does have some outstanding beaches.