Illinois EPA

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Areawide Air Pollution Action Day for Sunday, July 19th. This is in addition to the ongoing Chicago Air Pollution Action Day in effect today July 18th. This alert includes all of Illinois’ Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast sectors, except Metro-East St. Louis. An Areawide Air Pollution Action Day is declared when weather conditions are such that widespread ozone and or particulate levels are forecast to be at OR ABOVE the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) category in nearly all Illinois AQI forecast sectors.

Read the full news release:https://epa.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/epa/about-us/documents/news-releases/2026/07-18-2026-IEPA-AreawideAPAD-Final.pdf

The Illinois EPA has downgraded the air quality forecast for Rockford and all six Chicago area forecast sectors to a Purple (Very Unhealthy) Forecast Air Pollution Action Day for Friday, July 17.

It is recommended to limit time spent outdoors as much as possible. Wear a mask if you need to spend time outside and take frequent breaks.

Check air quality forecasts and current conditions at https://AirNow.gov and sign up for EnviroFlash alerts through https://illinois.enviroflash.info/

Get to know YOUR air quality?

Check current air quality using the Air Now mobile app or visit AirNow.gov for real time Air Quality Index (AQI) updates.
📱 Air Now: https://www.airnow.gov/

Want air quality alerts delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to EnviroFlash for free Illinois air quality forecasts and Air Quality Action Day notifications.
📧 EnviroFlash: https://www.enviroflash.info/signup.cfm