Air Quality
Pollution and air quality days.
Monitored days with good air quality
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored Illinois counties.
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).
| Indicator | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Average PM2.5 (µg/m³)2023, EPA | 9.1 | 8.0 |
Wildfires
Wildfire activity.
| Indicator | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Acres burned per year2023, NIFC | 9,000 | 7.0 M |
Drought
Drought conditions and risk.
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
| Indicator | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Share of area in drought2024, NOAA | 14% | 22% |
Water Usage
Water withdrawals and supply.
| Indicator | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Water use per capita (gal/day)2023, USGS | 118 | 82 |
Emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTOILA).
Transportation CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTOILA).
| Indicator | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 per capita (tonnes)2023, EIA | 15.5 | 14.7 |
Climate Indicators
Temperature and precipitation.
Average annual temperature
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.
Annual precipitation
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.
| Indicator | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Annual precipitation (in)1991-2020, NOAA | 39 | 30 |