Researchers, city leaders, and community organizations have collaborated to create one of the largest urban air quality monitoring networks in the nation across Chicago. A new public-facing website, Our Air Chicago, is now available to help residents access and understand air quality data in their neighborhoods. This platform, developed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois Chicago, allows users to explore data from hundreds of air quality sensors through an interactive mapping platform. It offers insights into historical trends, overlays environmental justice data, and highlights community characteristics.
The project is led by Serap Erdal from UIC and the Healthy Regions and Policies Lab at Illinois, directed by Marynia Kolak. From its inception, the dashboard was designed with community input, utilizing surveys and focus groups to ensure the platform met local needs.
The goal of Our Air Chicago is not just to present data, but to facilitate understanding—helping users explore how air quality interacts with other neighborhood data like historical redlining, tree canopy, and local infrastructure. The platform aims to empower residents to investigate and make informed decisions regarding their environment.
Furthermore, the website will continue to evolve, with ongoing updates planned to enhance user experience and resources. Available in multiple languages, it serves as a resource for education and engagement, encouraging users to actively explore and demand improvements for their communities.
