Chicago, Illinois – Hazy skies and lingering smoke from Canadian wildfires are pushing air pollution in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana into unhealthy territory for sensitive groups through Thursday night.
According to the Illinois EPA and Indiana Department of Environmental Management, an Air Quality Alert is in effect until midnight CDT Thursday, impacting cities across the greater Chicago metro area, including Aurora, Joliet, Waukegan, and Gary. Particulate levels are expected to remain in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (USG) range on the Air Quality Index due to wildfire smoke settling across the region.
People with asthma or other respiratory conditions, as well as children and older adults, are urged to limit prolonged outdoor activity. Communities from McHenry and DuPage to Lake and Porter counties may notice reduced visibility and a burning odor in the air.
Residents are also encouraged to help reduce pollution by avoiding unnecessary vehicle trips, delaying mowing, and conserving energy indoors.
This is the second multi-day air pollution event in the region this season, signaling a trend tied to more frequent Canadian wildfires. Officials will continue to monitor air quality, and additional alerts could follow if conditions worsen.
