As many are celebrating America’s 250th birthday, a threat of severe weather looms, as watches and warnings have been issued for most Illinois and northwest Indiana counties for Saturday.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Kane and Kendall counties in Illinois until 3:45 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Grundy, Kendall, and Will counties in Illinois and for Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Lake counties in Indiana until 7 p.m.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Central Cook, De Kalb, DuPage, Eastern Will, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, La Salle, Northern Cook, Northern Will, Southern Cook, and Southern Will in Illinois and Lake in Indiana until 10 p.m.

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for De Kalb, La Salle, and Lee counties in Illinois until 5 p.m.

Storm Prediction Center has areas along and south of I-80 at a Level 1 (out of 5) for severe chances. Strong-to-severe storms are expected around 2 p.m. and sunset. Frequent lightning, damaging winds and torrential downpours may accompany the strongest storms.

Be sure to stick with CBS News Chicago and the First Alert Weather team for the latest. 

TODAY

Mostly sunny and very warm to start, then the storm chance rises later in the day. Highs reach the upper 80s to near 90, with a light southwest breeze. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 9 p.m. Saturday, and the better chance for showers and thunderstorms develops after mid afternoon, with any stronger storm capable of heavy downpours, hail, and damaging wind gusts.  

TONIGHT

Showers and thunderstorms remain likely early in the evening, then coverage gradually trends lower later at night. Lows fall into the low 70s, with light wind. It does not look like nonstop rain, but evening outdoor plans, including fireworks, will need a weather eye.  

TOMORROW

Partly sunny, warm, and still somewhat unsettled, with storms becoming more likely as the day goes on. Highs reach the mid 80s, with light wind. Much of the first half of the day looks more usable, but the second half becomes less reliable as showers and thunderstorms become more common.  

TOMORROW NIGHT

Showers and thunderstorms remain likely early, then fade back later in the evening and overnight. Lows settle near 70. It should turn quieter with time, and the air will feel a little less oppressive than the previous few nights.  

MONDAY

Partly sunny and still hot, but not quite as extreme as the holiday weekend. Highs reach the mid 80s, with a more humid feel and at least a low-end thunderstorm chance around. This looks more manageable than Saturday, but not completely quiet from start to finish.

MONDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy and seasonably mild, with lows in the mid 60s. Any leftover storm chance looks limited, and quieter weather should win out for most of the night.

TUESDAY

Clouds and sun mix with a stray thunderstorm chance, and highs recover into the mid 80s. Heat is still around, but not as punishing as the late-week surge, and much of the day still looks usable.

TUESDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy and muggy again, with lows in the upper 60s. Quiet weather generally holds overnight, even if a completely dry forecast is not guaranteed.

WEDNESDAY

 Mostly cloudy and humid with a thunderstorm possible in spots during the afternoon. Highs reach the mid 80s. This keeps the pattern a little unsettled, though it still does not look like an all-day rain setup.

7 DAY FORECAST

The main concerns are the late-day storm chance on the Fourth and then a hot, humid stretch that continues into next week. Saturday and Sunday both carry storm chances, with the Fourth looking more active later in the day and Sunday staying somewhat unsettled. After that, temperatures settle into the 80s with occasional storm chances lingering into midweek, so the pattern stays summerlike even though the worst of the heat eases back a bit.  

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Two women are facing criminal charges following a prostitution investigation at an apartment complex in Westfield.

According to a news release Thursday, the investigation began June 23, stemming from a Crime Stoppers tip about suspected prostitution and possible human trafficking at The Farmhouse at Lantern Commons Apartments, near the 16000 block of Gleam Way.

On June 25, detectives arranged a meeting, entered the residence and encountered two adult women. One of the women agreed to engage in sexual activity in exchange for $300. Both women were detained at the scene.

Detectives searched the apartment and found evidence of sexual activity and prostitution-related activity.

Yanyi Zhang faces five charges:

• Two counts of Promoting Prostitution, a Level 5 Felony.
• Identity Deception, a Level 6 Felony.
• Class A Misdemeanor for prostitution.

Linxia Shi was charged with a Class A Misdemeanor for prostitution.

Zhang and Shi were offered victim assistance resources during the investigation, Westfield Police said.

A jury trial for Zhang is scheduled for Nov. 2, according to online court records.

This case marks the second prostitution investigation by the Westfield Police in the past two months, both of which were initiated by tips submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers. The department encourages residents to continue to report suspicious activity.