With Thursday shaping up as the hottest day of the year, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the Chicago region.

High pressure building to mid levels of the atmosphere across the Midwest will bring hot temperatures to Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana Thursday. Readings of 100 to 105 degrees are expected.

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A heat advisory means that high temperatures and high humidity will produce potentially dangerous hot weather, which could cause heat illnesses. The National Weather Service recommends staying in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun, and to check on older relatives and neighbors. 

Oak Lawn-Area Cooling Centers

Oak Lawn-area cooling centers will remain open on Thursday for residents without access to air-conditioning.

If you know someone who needs to get out of the heat or if you have elderly family members and neighbors who aren't on the Internet, tell them they can drop in any time today at these local cooling centers:

• Oak Lawn Senior Center, 5330 W. 95th St., 708-499-0240. Senior center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Oak Lawn Library, 9227 S. Raymond Ave., 708-422-4990. Library is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Oak Lawn Racquet Club, 10444 S. Central Ave., 708-857-2215, open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Oak Lawn Community Pavilion, 9401 S. Oak Park Ave., open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Worth Township Senior Center, 11601 S. Pulaski Road, Alsip, 708-371-2900, ext. 28. open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Air Quality Alert

The Illinois Environmental Protect Agency has also declared an "Air Pollution Action Day" for Thursday for the Chicago region and collar counties.

Widespread ozone and particulate levels are expected to be at or above levels unhelath for the "senstive groups category" on the air-quality index. Children and adults with lung and respiratory diseases such as asthma should limit being outside for long periods of times.

Register to receive air quality forecasts sent to your inbox by subscribing to IllinoisEnviroFlash alerts.

To learn more about protecting your health from the effects of air pollution visit Partners for Clean Air Illinois.