CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — Air quality across northern and central Illinois deteriorated sharply Friday, as Canadian wildfire smoke blanketed the region and pushed AQI levels into the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range in multiple cities — including Joliet, Aurora, Chicago, and Peoria.
Wildfire Smoke Drives Up Particle Pollution
The National Weather Service and AirNow.gov issued an air quality alert for much of the state, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations climbing due to haze drifting southward from Canada.
- Joliet AQI: 128
- Aurora AQI: 124
- Chicago AQI: 117
- Peoria AQI: 118
- Lake County, IN AQI: 113
- Hammond-Gary AQI: 110
These AQI readings reflect dangerous levels for sensitive populations, including children, seniors, and individuals with asthma, COPD, or heart conditions.
EPA Urges Reduced Outdoor Activity
In response, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is strongly advising residents to:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor exercise
- Limit time outdoors
- Stay indoors with filtered air when possible
Health officials warned that even short-term exposure at these AQI levels could lead to coughing, difficulty breathing, and increased risk of respiratory flare-ups in sensitive individuals.
“Until smoke clears out, it’s important to stay indoors and monitor symptoms,” said an EPA spokesperson. “People with respiratory conditions should use air purifiers or make sure their HVAC systems are equipped with clean filters.”
Conditions May Improve By Saturday
Relief may be on the horizon. Forecast models predict a shift in wind patterns Saturday, which could drop AQI levels into the ‘moderate’ range across impacted areas.
Still, residents are urged to check local air quality conditions at AirNow.gov and remain vigilant about respiratory symptoms or breathing difficulties.
Are you experiencing health issues related to poor air quality? Let us know how the wildfire smoke has impacted your daily life in Joliet, Aurora, or elsewhere in Illinois. Drop your experience in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
