{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.e023a11cc9fc083f5084e97924a53beae237414a.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 12:31PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-18","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.e023a11cc9fc083f5084e97924a53beae237414a.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":349,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 12:31PM 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; Kankakee; Livingston; Iroquois; Ford; Northern Cook; Central Cook; Southern Cook; Northern Will; Southern Will; Eastern Will\n**Issued by:** NWS Chicago IL\n**Sent:** 2026-07-18T12:31:00-05:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-18T12:31:00-05:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-20T00:00:00-05:00\n\n## Description\nThe Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Areawide\nAir Pollution Action Day for Sunday July 19th for portions of\nIllinois. This is in addition to the ongoing Chicago Area Air\nPollution Action Day in effect today.\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 may\nexperience smoke/PM2.5 to a varying degree and duration both later\ntoday and Sunday. Those with air quality concerns or anyone in\nIllinois with outdoor plans is 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 forecasted AQI.\n\nAQI Category Guidance Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) - Members\nof sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general\npublic is less likely to be affected. Sensitive groups: Make outdoor\nactivities shorter and less intense. Its OK to be active outdoors,\nbut take more breaks. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or\nshortness of breath. People with asthma: Follow your asthma action\nplan and keep quick relief medicine handy. People with heart disease:\nSymptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual\nfatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these,\ncontact your health care provider. Unhealthy - Sensitive groups:\nAvoid long or intense outdoor activities. Consider rescheduling or\nmoving activities indoors. Everyone else: Reduce long or intense\nactivities. Take more breaks during outdoor activities.\n\n\nMedia Contact...Illinois EPA"}