Chicago Community Centers Open For Refuge From Poor Air Quality

CHICAGO — A veil of haze from Canadian wildfires draped the Chicago area and much of the Great Lakes region sending air quality plummeting to dangerous levels for much of Tuesday. The Global Pollution Index declared the air quality in the Chicago region “worst in the world.”

The National Weather Service has issued air quality alerts for northeastern Illinois, northwestern Indiana and all of southeast Michigan for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Air quality in Chicago was rated as “very unhealthy” Tuesday morning, according to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency air monitors. In the evening, the air quality index remained at “very unhealthy” levels of .237 above the baseline of .100.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should avoid strenuous outdoor activities or consider moving activities indoors. Everyone else should also shorten the time they are active outdoors, or choose less strenuous activities where you won't breathe as hard.

The city continues to monitor air quality conditions. Chicago Park District camps and other activities were moved indoors.

For Chicagoans without access to properly ventilated and safe indoor conditions, utilize the public libraries, senior centers, park district facilities or the Chicago Cultural Center.

The city is also opening six community service centers that operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Englewood Center – 1140 W. 79th Street
• Garfield Center – 10 S. Kedzie Ave. (24 Hours)
• King Center – 4314 S. Cottage Grove
• North Area Center – 845 W. Wilson Ave.
• South Chicago Center – 8650 S. Commercial Ave.
• Trina Davila Center – 4312 W. North Ave.