Poor Air Quality Expected Through Wednesday For Chicago Area

An air quality alert has been issued for the Chicago metro area, as well as northwest Indiana, and is in effect from now through Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

The IEPA has declared an Air Pollution Action Day, which happens when widespread ozone and/or particulate levels are expected to be at or above the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category.

The weather service said ozone is expected to be the primary pollutant of concern.

"Active children and adults, especially people with pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor activity," the weather service said.

As of 12 p.m. Tuesday, the air quality index was rated "good" for Aurora and Elgin; Chicago; and Joliet and Will County. Other areas, including Lake County, the south and west suburbs, and the north and west suburbs were rated as "moderate."

According to the AirNow forecast, it appears that Wednesday will have all reporting areas in Illinois listed at "moderate" or "unhealthy for sensitive groups."