{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.c3d9430fb612fe6a9546fad28fa49b4e0500c584.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 19 at 2:57AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-19","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.c3d9430fb612fe6a9546fad28fa49b4e0500c584.001.1","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":336,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 19 at 2:57AM 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:** 2026-07-19T02:57:00-05:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-19T02:57:00-05:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-20T03:00:00-05:00\n\n## Description\nThe Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in Springfield Illinois\nhas issued a Air Quality Action Day for ground level ozone and fine\nparticulates, until midnight CDT tonight.\n\nAn Areawide Air Pollution Action Day is declared when weather conditions\nare such that widespread ozone and or particulate levels are forecast\nto be at OR ABOVE the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) category in\nall or nearly all Illinois AQI forecast sectors.\n\nAreas both inside and outside of the Action Day coverage area may\nexperience smoke/PM2.5 today into tonight. Those with air quality\nconcerns or anyone in Illinois with outdoor plans is encouraged to\ncheck current NowCast readings or sign up for EnviroFlash alerts on\nAirNow.gov. Before going outside, checking the NowCast AQI will help\nidentify periods of both poor and cleaner air quality regardless of\nthe level of the daily forecasted AQI.\n\nAQI Category Guidance\nUnhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) - Members of sensitive groups may\nexperience health effects. The general public is less likely to be\naffected.  Sensitive groups: Make outdoor activities shorter and less\nintense. Its OK to be active outdoors, but take more breaks. Watch\nfor symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. People with\nasthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep quick relief medicine\nhandy. People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations,\nshortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem.\nIf you have any of these, contact your health care provider.\nUnhealthy - Sensitive groups: Avoid long or intense outdoor activities.\nConsider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.  Everyone else:\nReduce long or intense activities. Take more breaks during outdoor\nactivities.\n\nMedia Contact... Illinois EPA"}