Illinois is literally in the center of the area of interest for monarch butterflies and real effort is being made, says a Wednesday Chicago Sun Times story. The Illinois Monarch Project (IMP) and its efforts were featured Monday during an event at University of Illinois Extension. IMP grew out of a summit in September 2016 in Springfield of agriculture, natural-resources and academic groups looking to cooperate and collaborate. There already have been improvements, including how roadside mowing is done by farmers and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Illinois’ Milkweed Goal is to add 150 million new stems of milkweed and other nectar sources by 2038. (Chicago Sun Times)