Latest news with #IllinoisEPA
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Champaign Co. Treasurer's Office moving to new location, temporarily limiting services
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Treasurer & Collector's Office is the latest Champaign County department set to move into the Bennett Administrative Center. On Friday, it was announced that the Treasurer's Officer would be starting its move at the end of June. As a result, there will be limited services available from June 30-July 3 as they transition into the new space. During this period, the office's services will be limited to payments only. Illinois EPA sponsoring Champaign Co. household waste collection event Additionally, in-person payments will be accepted at the following locations: June 30: Brookens Administrative Center 1776 E Washington St., Urbana July 1-3: Bennett Administrative Center 102 E Main St., Urbana Residents can also pay using any of these options: Online at At participating banks throughout Champaign County By using the secure drop box in the circle drive at Brookens Full service will resume on July 7 at the Bennett Center, following the Fourth of July holiday. Law enforcement runs from Fischer to Champaign for Special Olympics On Tuesday, it was announced that the Champaign County Clerk and Recorder's Office would be relocating to the Bennett Center from July 7-18. In April, it was announced that a number of Champaign County offices would be moving into the center after renovations had been completed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Champaign Fire, Police Departments pushing for fireworks safety this summer
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, the City of Champaign's first responders are encouraging residents to prioritize fireworks safety. More than 31,000 fires start each year due to fireworks, and city officials are urging residents to leave the fireworks to trained professionals to prevent injuries and property damage. Children younger than 15 years old account for 28% of the estimated fireworks injuries. Illinois EPA sponsoring Champaign Co. household waste collection event However, those who choose to celebrate with fireworks are asked to follow these safety tips: Use legal fireworks only, such as sparklers, and even though sparklers seem like a safer alternative, they can heat up to 1,200˚F. Do not allow children to use them without adult supervision. Any firework that is lit by a wick, explodes and/or shoots into the air is generally illegal in Champaign. Use all fireworks outdoors, away from houses, people, trees, dry grass or any other flammable substances. When handling fireworks, always have a bucket of water and a fire extinguisher nearby. If injured by fireworks, go to a doctor immediately. If it is an eye injury specifically, do not rub the injury, as that may cause more damage. The best way to prevent injuries from fireworks is to not use them at all. Attend public firework displays and leave the igniting to the experts. Champaign woman to host event for gun violence, drug abuse awareness For a more detailed definition of fireworks, residents can visit the City of Champaign Municipal Code of Ordinances, specifically Chapter 13, Article II. This includes what is allowed and prohibited within Champaign city limits. Locals are also reminded to maintain a working smoke alarm and to regularly practice a home escape plan in case of a fire or any other emergency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
30-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Smoke from Canadian wildfires moving into Chicago area, raising concerns about air quality
Smoke from out-of-control wildfires in Canada is drifting into the Chicago area on Friday, and while conditions won't be as severe as when smoke from Canadian wildfires repeatedly blanketed Chicago two years ago, the haze is nonetheless raising public health concerns. Environmental experts said Chicagoans should pay attention to any alerts and be conscious of air quality. Canadian officials said firefighters from across the country are helping fight 22 active wildfires in the province of Manitoba, where leaders have issued a state of emergency. Satellite imagery from Thursday showed a massive smoke plume spanning 3,000 miles from Montana to the Atlantic. Air quality is expected to be "unhealthy for sensitive groups" on Friday in cities spanning from Madison, Wisconsin, to Duluth, Minnesota, according to the federal site AirNow. Air quality is forecast to be "moderate" in cities including Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Detroit. Canadian wildfire smoke led to sweeping air quality issues across the U.S. back in 2023, when hundreds of blazes were raging amid the worst wildfire season on record in Canada. Drought and record heat contributed to those fires, which in May and June that year created a record level of emissions. Smoky Chicago skies caused major health concerns multiple times in the summer of 2023. The city made national headlines in late June for having the worst air quality in the world. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency does not expect this weekend's smoke infiltration to be as dangerous as June 2023, and there are no plans for an Air Pollution Action Day as was issued then. But concerns remain from the smoky skies now making their way to Chicago. "It's not that climate change causes wildfires, but it causes wildfires to be more intense," said Don Wuebbles, emeritus professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Illinois. The Earth's changing climate is playing a role in the severity of wildfires. "The climate itself? Yes, it's getting worse," said Iyana Simba, city programs director at the Illinois Environmental Council, a Chicago-based environmental advocacy group. "Long-term? Think about environmental policy. Think about how important it is for us to prevent future wildfires like this from getting worse." As for what's important now and heading into the weekend, experts said it's important to keep a close eye on air quality. "It puts a lot of debris – ash and carbon aerosols, particularly – into the atmosphere, and when those pass over us, it causes a little bit of a cooling effect, but it also makes it more difficult to breathe," Wuebbles said. While experts said this smoke won't be as dramatic as what Chicago saw in 2023, it can still have a public health impact. "If you have respiratory issues, or if you are elderly, you probably shouldn't be outside for an extended period of time later today through early tomorrow," Simba said. The smoky, hazy conditions could extend through the weekend. They'll likely stick around through Saturday.
CBS News
29-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Wildfires in Manitoba, Canada, to send smoke into Chicago area starting Friday
Leaders in the Canadian Province of Manitoba have issued a state of emergency as wildfires continue to rage there, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. The inferno will impact the Chicago area too, with smoke descending downtown as soon as Friday. As anyone who was around two years ago will remember, this is not the first time a hazy, unhealthy back of air engulfed and choked Chicago. The fire is more than 1,300 miles away — almost a 24-hour drive — and in a different country. But CBS News Chicago Meteorologist David Yeomans explained why the smoke from what is burning in Manitoba will be down Chicago's way very soon. In short, all the air will be flowing right toward Chicago from Canada. "[The] northwest wind going to drive the smoke right into our area," Yeomans said, "possibly for three days." Smoky Chicago skies caused major health concerns multiple times in the summer of 2023. The city made national headlines in late June for having the worst air quality in the world. On one June day, several places in Cook County registered an AQI, or air quality index, of above 200 — considered "very unhealthy" by the Environmental Protection Agency. At one point on Tuesday, June 27, Chicago was at level 228. Beaches were closed and events were canceled around the Chicago area due to the smoke in the air that month. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency does not expect this weekend's smoke infiltration to be as dangerous as June 2023, and there are no plans for an Air Pollution Action Day as was issued then. But Loyola Medicine pulmonologist Dr. Sean Forsythe wants everyone to remain alert nevertheless. "Air pollution isn't healthy for anyone," Forsythe said. Forsythe said even moderate levels of smoke will make people cough of experience shortness of breath. "It will raise risk of lung disease being exacerbated, and everybody might not feel great when they're out in that weather," he said. Forsythe explained why people exercising outdoors, including those running in the Bank of America Half Marathon on Sunday, might especially feel the effects. "You tend to breathe deeper and faster, and so you're getting more exposure to that particulate matter," he said. Half Marathon organizers said their forecasting shows conditions for the race this weekend will be "green," or ideal. They plan to monitor air quality closely, and will provide updates if anything changes.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Senator Koehler invites people to hazardous material disposal event
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Democratic State Senator Dave Koehler is inviting local residents to participate in an upcoming disposal event. The Household Hazardous Waste collection event is sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. It will take place on Saturday, May 31, in the Landmark parking lot on North Dries Lane in Peoria. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. You must register for the hazardous material disposal event. You can do so here. Those interested in disposing of waste on the day of the event are asked to pack materials securely and remain in their cars once they get to the event. Staff will remove the items from your car safely. Items you can bring: chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, anti-freeze, motor oil, gasoline, weed killers, insecticides, pesticides, and other household hazardous materials. Items that won't be accepted: latex paint, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, explosives, smoke detectors, and agricultural chemicals. 'Hazardous materials can clutter our homes and harm the environment if not disposed of properly,' said Senator Koehler. 'Events like this make it easy to be responsible with items that are often difficult to discard safely.' More event information is available on the Peoria County recycling services page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
