April 5th started off with sunny skies which helped to warm things up. The sun in addition to a developing low pressure system in Kansas pushed a warm front northward into Iowa. The front stalled out along and south of Highway 34, leaving areas north of the boundary in the 60s, while those to the south rose into the 70s.
The sunshine coupled with increasing moisture levels resulted in thunderstorm development during the afternoon and evening. Some of the thunderstorms were severe, producing large hail and damaging winds.  In addition, frequent lightning also accompanied the storms, with one lightning strike damaging a house.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 19:45:00 to 05-APR-10 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLEDGEVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph uprooted some 3 foot diameter trees about 1 mile north of Milledgeville, IL around 845 pm April 5.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 19:55:00 to 05-APR-10 19:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRANKLIN CORNERS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew down a 2 to 3 foot diameter, 30 to 40 foot tall tree across a road about 7 miles south of Chadwick, IL around 855 pm April 5.

Lightning in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 19:59:00 to 05-APR-10 19:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: LANARK
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A house caught on fire due to a lightning strike in Lanark, IL around 859 pm April 5.

Hail in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 22:08:00 to 05-APR-10 22:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALENA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Quarter sized hail fell in Galena, IL at 1108 pm April 5.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 19:45:00 to 05-APR-10 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLEDGEVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated to be 60 mph damaged some outbuildings about 1 mile west of Milledgeville, IL around 845 pm April 5.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 19:55:00 to 05-APR-10 19:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLEDGEVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew down several large trees in Milledgeville, IL around 855 pm April 5.  The fallen trees knocked down power lines and destroyed the end of a machine shed.

Thunderstorm Wind in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 22:08:00 to 05-APR-10 22:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALENA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Wind gusts estimated to be 60 mph were observed in Galena, IL around 1108 pm April 5.

Hail in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 22:10:00 to 05-APR-10 22:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST DUBUQUE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Half dollar sized hail fell about 1 mile east of East Dubuque, IL around 1110 pm April 5.

Thunderstorm Wind in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 22:10:00 to 05-APR-10 22:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALENA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph ripped the roof off of Tri State Screen Printing and Embroidery located at 11530 Technical Drive about 3 miles west northwest of Galena, IL around 1110 pm April 5.

Thunderstorm Wind in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 22:10:00 to 05-APR-10 22:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST DUBUQUE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts estimated to be 75 mph were observed about 1 mile east of East Dubuque, IL around 1110 pm April 5.

Hail in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 19:35:00 to 05-APR-10 19:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: USTICK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quarter sized hail fell about 14 miles south of Mount Carroll, IL around 835 pm April 5.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 19:35:00 to 05-APR-10 19:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: USTICK
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew some trees and branches down about 14 miles south of Mount Carroll, IL around 835 pm April 5. Some vehicles were damaged by the fallen branches.  Also, a power outage was observed.

Thunderstorm Wind in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 22:25:00 to 05-APR-10 22:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: APPLE CANYON LAKE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

More than half the homes in Woodbine, IL suffered some degree of damage as severe storms moved through the area around 1125 pm April 5.  Most of the damage was from downed trees and limbs.  Two parked semi-tractor trailers were overturned.  Some utility poles snapped near the ground.  A garden shed was blown over and other outbuildings were damaged. Shingles, sheets of tin roofing, and tree debris littered the streets. Several homes north of Woodbine and near Apple Canyon Lake sustained damage from fallen trees.  This report was from the Freeport Journal Standard.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 19:58:00 to 05-APR-10 19:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLEDGEVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph caused a west-facing wall of a church to collapse in Milledgeville, IL around 858 pm April 5.  In addition, several 3 foot diameter trees were blown down.  Numerous power lines were also knocked down resulting in a power outage to much of the town.  Most of the damage was across the northwest part of town and extended about 0.5 miles to the north.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 05-APR-10 22:55:00 to 05-APR-10 22:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREEPORT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph snapped some trees and utility poles in half and ripped some siding off of some houses along Pearl City Rd about 0.25 miles west of Highland Community College on the west side of Freeport, IL around 1155 pm April 5.  This report was relayed by Stephenson County SKYNET.  In addition, a 40 foot tall pine tree on the 1200 block of Lincoln Boulevard fell onto a house.  Several Freeport streets were littered with downed trees, especially hard hit were South High Ave, Lemon Ave, Nursery Ave, Bauch Ave, West Pleasant St, and South Highland Ave.  The Freeport Journal Standard also contributed to this report.