{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.141b76f8dd992228cf4c1d1900eecf188c362b55.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 20 at 3:10AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-20","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.141b76f8dd992228cf4c1d1900eecf188c362b55.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Lincoln IL"},"word_count":349,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 20 at 3:10AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Knox; Stark; Peoria; Marshall; Woodford; Fulton; Tazewell; McLean; Schuyler; Mason; Logan; De Witt; Piatt; Champaign; Vermilion; Cass; Menard; Scott; Morgan; Sangamon; Christian; Macon; Moultrie; Douglas; Coles; Edgar; Shelby; Cumberland; Clark; Effingham; Jasper; Crawford; Clay; Richland; Lawrence\n**Issued by:** NWS Lincoln IL\n**Sent:** 2026-07-20T03:10:00-05:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-20T03:10:00-05:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-21T03:15:00-05:00\n\n## Description\nThe Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Areawide\nAir Pollution Action Day for Monday July 20th for portions of\nIllinois.\n\nAn Areawide Air Pollution Action Day is declared when weather\nconditions are such that widespread ozone and or particulate levels\nare forecast to be at OR ABOVE the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\n(USG) category in all or nearly all Illinois AQI forecast sectors.\n\nAreas both inside and outside of the Action Day coverage area are\nlikely to see smoke/particulates to a varying degree and duration\ntoday with smoke likely decreasing from southwest to northeast\nthis afternoon. Those with air quality concerns or anyone in\nIllinois with outdoor plans are encouraged to check current NowCast\nreadings or sign up for EnviroFlash alerts on AirNow. gov. Before\ngoing outside, checking the NowCast AQI will help identify periods of\nboth poor and cleaner air quality regardless of the level of the\ndaily 24-hour AQI forecast.\n\nAQI Category Guidance\nUnhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) - Members of sensitive groups\nmay experience health effects. The general public is less likely to\nbe affected. Sensitive groups: Make outdoor activities shorter and\nless intense. Its OK to be active outdoors, but take more breaks.\nWatch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. People\nwith asthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep quick relief\nmedicine handy. People with heart disease: Symptoms such as\npalpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a\nserious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care\nprovider. Unhealthy - Sensitive groups: Avoid long or intense outdoor\nactivities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.\nEveryone else: Reduce long or intense activities. Take more breaks\nduring outdoor activities.\n\nMedia Contact... Illinois EPA"}