Monday marked the seventh day in a row the Chicago area was under an air quality alert as wildfire smoke continued to linger in northern Illinois, southeastern Wisconsin and northwest Indiana.
Monday morning, air quality in much of the Chicago area ranked as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” or level three of six. Last week, air quality was much worse, in the “hazardous” category.
Air quality was expected to remain in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category Monday for much of the area, but some parts were seeing higher numbers. Those areas include Elgin, Bartlett, Campton Hills, Gilberts, Hampshire and Campton Hills, where air quality was “unhealthy” for all groups, or level four.
Air quality was expected to improve into the “moderate” category by Tuesday, which ranks as level two and light smoke still lingering.
“We may get a little better throughout the day Tuesday,” Roman said. “At least we stay under that lighter smoke.”
Monday will also see some rain and storm chances, but that wasn’t likely to help the air quality much.
“Rain is just a temporary relief,” Roman said. “You need a wind shift to really get rid of it.”
Although the smoke won’t be as heavy and thick as the Chicago area saw last week, it will “ebb and flow” throughout the week, Roman added.
You can check to see the air quality near you using the air quality tracking website AirNow.gov.
Roman added that
Although the smoke won’t be as heavy and thick as the Chicago area saw last week, it will “ebb and flow” throughout the week, Roman said.
Levels of the Air Quality Index
“The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern,” AirNow.gov reported.
The levels are:
Daily AQI ColorLevels of ConcernValues of IndexDescription of Air QualityGreenGood0 to 50Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.YellowModerate51 to 100Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.OrangeUnhealthy for Sensitive Groups101 to 150Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.RedUnhealthy151 to 200Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.PurpleVery Unhealthy201 to 300Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.MaroonHazardous301 and higherHealth warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected.
Monday marked the seventh day in a row the Chicago area was under an air quality alert as wildfire smoke continued to linger in northern Illinois, southeastern Wisconsin and northwest Indiana.
Monday morning, air quality in much of the Chicago area ranked as "unhealthy for sensitive groups," or level three of six. Last week, air quality was much worse, in the "hazardous" category.
Air quality was expected to remain in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category Monday for much of the area, but some parts were seeing higher numbers. Those areas include Elgin, Bartlett, Campton Hills, Gilberts, Hampshire and Campton Hills, where air quality was "unhealthy" for all groups, or level four.

Air quality was expected to improve into the "moderate" category by Tuesday, which ranks as level two and light smoke still lingering.
"We may get a little better throughout the day Tuesday," Roman said. "At least we stay under that lighter smoke."
Monday will also see some rain and storm chances, but that wasn't likely to help the air quality much.
"Rain is just a temporary relief," Roman said. "You need a wind shift to really get rid of it."
Although the smoke won't be as heavy and thick as the Chicago area saw last week, it will "ebb and flow" throughout the week, Roman added.
You can check to see the air quality near you using the air quality tracking website AirNow.gov.
Roman added that
Although the smoke won't be as heavy and thick as the Chicago area saw last week, it will "ebb and flow" throughout the week, Roman said.

"The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern," AirNow.gov reported.
The levels are:
| Daily AQI Color | Levels of Concern | Values of Index | Description of Air Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Good | 0 to 50 | Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. |
| Yellow | Moderate | 51 to 100 | Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. |
| Orange | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | 101 to 150 | Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. |
| Red | Unhealthy | 151 to 200 | Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. |
| Purple | Very Unhealthy | 201 to 300 | Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. |
| Maroon | Hazardous | 301 and higher | Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. |