Suburban Chicago beaches, pools closed, events canceled due to air quality: Full list ...Middle East

Multiple beaches and pools along Chicago’s North Shore and in the northern suburbs were closed Thursday due to “very unhealthy” or even “hazardous” air quality, with the air particularly dangerous for young children as thick plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires hovers over northern Illinois, northwest Indiana and all of Wisconsin.

In northern Cook and Lake Counties in Illinois, and Kenosha Counties in Wisconsin, air quality levels were so high they were off the scale — literally.

“I’ve been here for 15 years and I’ve never seen parts of our viewing area in that hazardous category,” Roman said. “My maps don’t even have the hazardous explanation on it, because we’ve only gotten into that ‘very unhealthy,’ purple category.”

For air quality to reach into the “hazardous” category, air quality index values on a scale of 1-500 have to be at 301 or higher. As of 11:45 a.m., air quality in Lake Forest, Illinois was at 565. Further north, in Waukegan and over the border into Wisconsin, air quality was even worse, with levels over 600.

“When the number gets above 300, everyone is impacted no matter what,” Roman said. “Very, very poor air quality, especially across our far northern counties.”

Many park districts and villages in northern suburbs sent out announcements saying camps would be held inside, and public areas like pools and beaches would be closed due to the conditions. In Chicago, park district camps and activities were either moved indoors or canceled altogether.

Dr. Juanita Mora, allergist and immunologist with the American Lung Association said the smoke and pollutants are most dangerous to kids 5-years-old and younger.

“The most vulnerable population to these pollutants are going to be little kids less than five years of age because they’re they have immature airways. Lungs are still developing,” Mora said.” Then also the older adults that have very little reserve when it comes to volume with the heat and also with these pollutants when it comes to lung function.”

In Waukegan, Mayor Sam Cunningham advised all residents, “especially children, seniors, and anyone with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions,” to limit time outdoors.

“Stay indoors with windows closed as much as possible today,” Cunningham said in a social post. “If you must go outside, I encourage you to wear a high-quality mask.”

Below is a list of running list of areas or activities that have announced closures or cancellations as of Thursday afternoon. This list will be updated by NBC Chicago as announcements are posted.

Berwyn:

Chicago Fire Soccer Camp canceled

Deerfield:

Mitchell Pool closed until 3 p.m.; park district to reassess conditions at that time

Evanston:

Beaches closed

Glencoe:

Boat house, swimming areas temporarily closed

Fox Valley:

Preschool in the park canceled

Highland Park:

Hidden Creek AquaPark, Rosewood Beach Swimming Beach, Highland Park Golf Learning Center all closed Ravinia Food Trucks canceled

Kenosha:

Anderson Park Pool, Washington Park Pool, Washington Park Municipal Golf Course all closed

Naperville:

Centennial Beach, Paddleboat Quarry closed

Lake Forest:

Forest Park Beach is closed to swimming

Lisle

Sea Lion Aquatic Park, River Bend Golf Club closed

Lombard:

Paradise Bay Water Park closed

Northbrook:

Pools are closed

Oak Brook:

Oak Brook Splash Island closed

Palatine:

Family Aquatic Center closed Eagle and Birchwood closed until at least 4 p.m.

Skokie:

Skokie Water Playground and Devonshire Aquatic Center

Waukegan:

Waukegan Municipal Beach closed

Wilmette:

Sailing, swimming beaches closed Centennial Family Aquatic Center closed starting 12:45 p.m.

The plume of heavy, thick smoke, from more than 100 wildfires burning in northern and western Ontario, was expected to remain in Illinois all day Thursday and into early Friday morning.

Conditions were expected to improve by Friday evening, Roman said.

You can check the air quality near you here.

Hence then, the article about suburban chicago beaches pools closed events canceled due to air quality full list was published today ( Thursday 16/07/2026 - 08:19 PM ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Suburban Chicago beaches, pools closed, events canceled due to air quality: Full list )

Also on site :

• Das GIMM-Festival bringt führende Experten der Mikrobiologie nach Lissabon, um über neu auftretende Viren, antimikrobielle Resistenzen und Bioengineering zu diskutieren
• 7-Eleven, Inc. and Mattel Team Up for a Turbocharged Collab for a Limited-Edition Hot Wheels Collectible Car
• 1977 No. 1 Remake of a '60s Girl-Group Classic Set a Mother-Son Chart Record That Still Stands 49 Years Later