Chicago, Illinois – Anyone planning to spend time outdoors across Illinois should check air quality conditions before heading outside, as smoke and elevated fine particle pollution are expected to keep air quality at unhealthy levels for sensitive groups through Sunday night. The greatest concern is for people with asthma, heart disease, older adults and children, who could experience symptoms even during routine outdoor activities.
According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, an Areawide Air Pollution Action Day is in effect across much of the state beginning at midnight Sunday and continuing through midnight Sunday night. Northern Illinois, including Chicago and surrounding suburbs, remains under an ongoing Air Pollution Action Day that began Saturday and continues through Sunday night. Forecast conditions support Air Quality Index values reaching the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category because of ozone and wildfire smoke containing PM2.5 particles.
The alert covers nearly every region of Illinois, including Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Springfield, Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, Moline, Quincy-area communities, and many surrounding counties.
State officials recommend checking real-time NowCast AQI readings at AirNow.gov before outdoor activities, as smoke concentrations may change throughout the day. Sensitive groups should shorten outdoor exercise, take frequent breaks and keep rescue medications readily available if prescribed. Anyone with heart disease should seek medical attention if they experience unusual fatigue, shortness of breath or heart palpitations.
Residents without underlying health conditions should also consider reducing prolonged outdoor activity if smoke becomes noticeable. Additional air quality advisories remain possible as smoke conditions evolve through Sunday night.
