We've had plenty of very hot years, including up to a week of 100+ days.

My first thought was "Did they not get data on IL?".

This year has been cooler, but a lot more storms.

Still plenty of 90+ days this year.

Little VT also has a lake effect

I could swear we broke 100F more than once when I was growing up in rural Ohio in the '80s and '90s. I wonder if it's a source/data problem?

I'll bet Hudson's Bay helps out too.