Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-103>108-160500-
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-
La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-
Northern Will-Southern Will-Eastern Will-
Including the cities of Rockford, Belvidere, Crystal Lake,
Algonquin, McHenry, Woodstock, Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein,
Gurnee, Rochelle, Oregon, Byron, Dixon, DeKalb, Sycamore, Aurora,
Elgin, Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Carol Stream,
Ottawa, Streator, La Salle, Mendota, Marseilles, Oswego, Yorkville,
Plano, Morris, Coal City, Minooka, Evanston, Des Plaines,
Schaumburg, Palatine, Northbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn,
Oak Park, La Grange, Calumet City, Oak Forest, Lemont, Orland Park,
Park Forest, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Mokena, Channahon,
Manhattan, Wilmington, Crete, Peotone, and Beecher
1219 PM CDT Wed Jul 15 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT NOW THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT...

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued a Red
Forecast Air Pollution Action Day for Thursday July 16th for the
AirNow AQI forecast sectors of Rockford and all 6 Chicago area
forecast sectors. This is in addition to the ongoing Chicago Area Air
Pollution Action Day in effect today.

This Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day is declared due to a
forecast of Unhealthy-Red category particulates and or ozone on
Thursday July 16th. Northern IL is expected to be on the edge of a
thick plume of surface smoke moving in from the north and cleaner air
to the south. There is some uncertainty in how far south the smoke
progresses and the duration of the poor air quality as this dividing
line may meander in and out of Northern IL late Wednesday night
thru Friday. With this in mind, those with air quality concerns or
outdoor plans are encouraged to check current NowCast readings or
sign up for EnviroFlash alerts on AirNow.gov.

Unhealthy - Everyone should reduced prolonged activities or heavy
exertion outdoors. Active children, older adults, and people with
pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma should avoid
prolonged activities or heavy exertion outdoors.

Area residents are urged to reduce pollution levels. Air quality
forecasts, current air quality, and tips on how you can reduce your
emissions can be found at www.airnow.gov.

Media contact...Illinois EPA.

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov