Chicago, Illinois – Wildfire smoke is pushing air quality into unhealthy territory across northern Illinois, triggering warnings from Peoria to Chicago and Joliet as particulate matter thickens in the atmosphere.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, air quality sensors near and north of Interstate 74 are detecting elevated PM2.5 levels, with index values over 150 by 2 p.m. Thursday—posing health risks to sensitive groups and the broader public. The worst conditions were centered over Peoria and areas west of Chicago, where smoke from distant fires has been drawn to the surface.
Residents in affected counties—especially those with heart or lung conditions, young children, or older adults—are urged to limit outdoor activity. Those feeling symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath should stay indoors and consider using air purifiers if available. Outdoor exercise should be avoided until conditions improve.
Some relief is expected by Friday as winds shift, but officials warn that air quality may remain variable. Additional air quality alerts are possible if wildfire smoke continues drifting south.
