{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.d5b84feba82fcf97250e7a7e5b8bca65dd46bc85.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 12:02AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-16","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.d5b84feba82fcf97250e7a7e5b8bca65dd46bc85.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Chicago IL"},"word_count":263,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 12:02AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Winnebago; Boone; McHenry; Lake; Ogle; Lee; De Kalb; Kane; DuPage; La Salle; Kendall; Grundy; Northern Cook; Central Cook; Southern Cook; Northern Will; Southern Will; Eastern Will\n**Issued by:** NWS Chicago IL\n**Sent:** 2026-07-16T00:02:00-05:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-16T00:02:00-05:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-17T00:00:00-05:00\n\n## Description\nThe Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued a Red\nForecast Air Pollution Action Day for today, Thursday July 16th for\nthe AirNow AQI forecast sectors of Rockford and all 6 Chicago area\nforecast sectors.\n\nThis Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day is declared due to a\nforecast of Unhealthy-Red category particulates and or ozone on\nThursday July 16th. Northern IL is expected to be on the edge of a\nthick plume of surface smoke moving in from the north and cleaner air\nto the south. There is some uncertainty in how far south the smoke\nprogresses and the duration of the poor air quality as this dividing\nline may meander in and out of Northern IL through Friday. With this\nin mind, those with air quality concerns or outdoor plans are\nencouraged to check current NowCast readings or sign up for\nEnviroFlash alerts on AirNow.gov.\n\nUnhealthy - Everyone should reduced prolonged activities or heavy\nexertion outdoors. Active children, older adults, and people with\npulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma should avoid\nprolonged activities or heavy exertion outdoors.\n\nArea residents are urged to reduce pollution levels. Air quality\nforecasts, current air quality, and tips on how you can reduce your\nemissions can be found at www.airnow.gov.\n\nMedia contact...Illinois EPA."}