Unhealthy air is affecting the greater Chicago area on Thursday, as state officials urge residents to limit outdoor activities until midnight tonight due to high ozone and particulate levels. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared an Air Pollution Action Day for all of metro Chicago, including McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Grundy, and Will counties. Pollution levels are expected to remain elevated throughout the evening.
According to the Illinois EPA, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is forecasted to remain in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category for much of the day. Children, seniors, and individuals with asthma or other lung conditions are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, particularly in the afternoon and early evening when ozone levels typically peak. The alert covers major cities and suburbs, including Aurora, Elgin, Naperville, Joliet, Evanston, Waukegan, and all Chicago neighborhoods.
To help reduce emissions and improve air quality, residents are encouraged to limit car trips, delay yard work involving gas-powered equipment, and refrain from burning materials outdoors. It is also recommended to run air conditioning with clean filters and keep windows closed to minimize exposure to pollutants. With stagnant, hot summer air persisting, there is a risk that pollution levels could rise again if conditions do not improve.
The Air Pollution Action Day will remain in effect until midnight tonight. Residents can check air quality conditions and safety tips at airnow.gov. If weather conditions do not improve, additional alerts may be issued.
