A 6-year-old boy died due to balloon-related suffocation last month in Mt. Carmel, according to preliminary findings from the Wabash County Coroner’s Office.

County Coroner Shaun Keepes responded to “the tragic accidental death of a juvenile” at a Mt. Carmel residence May 29, according to the report.

An autopsy conducted the next day in Springfield found the cause of death to be suffocation due to a Mylar-helium filled balloon. Officials announced his cause of death Wednesday.

The boy, identified by his family as Gunner Hyatt, was described as the “craziest, most loving little boy,” on a GoFundMe created to support his family. The fundraiser, created last week, has garnered over $20,000.

The coroner’s report, published on Facebook, noted the potential danger of large Mylar balloons. The balloons are commonly used decorations known for their shiny appearance. They’re made from plastic and often coated by a thin layer of metal.

“While often seen as harmless decorations, these balloons can pose serious risks — particularly to young children — including the rare but devastating possibility of suffocation and/or helium toxicity,” the coroner’s office said.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported six balloon-related deaths in children 12-years-old and younger between 2020 and 2023.

An investigation involving the Mount Carmel Police Department and the Illinois State Police Child Death Task Force is ongoing. Additional testing and toxicology will be done before determining the final cause of death, according to the coroner’s office.

No further information was released.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has set June 13-16 as Free Fishing Days throughout the state, allowing residents to fish without having to purchase licenses or stamps.

Here’s what to know.

What are Free Fishing Days?

From June 13-16, anglers in Illinois can fish without purchasing a fishing license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp. The Department of Natural Resources said in a press release that the point of the four-day program is “for non-anglers to discover or rediscover the fun of fishing and to introduce children to the activity.”

Groups and organizations that need fishing equipment and educational materials can complete an online form on the department website to get materials while supplies last.

What’s typically required to fish in Illinois?

Illinois usually requires anyone over 16 years old to have a fishing license to fish. Standard fishing licenses can be purchased for $15 at vendors throughout Illinois or online. 

Fishers younger than 16, blind or disabled anglers and residents on active military service are exempt.

Do seniors get free fishing licenses?

Senior residents of Illinois who are 65 or older receive reduced license fees but cannot get one for free. The fees are further reduced when residents reach the age of 75.

Can you fish anywhere in Illinois without fishing license?

No. Outside of Free Fishing Days, Illinois residents are required for fishing in all Illinois waters, including lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency declared an Air Pollution Action Day today in the Chicago Metropolitan area due to elevated particle pollution caused by Canadian wildfire smoke.

Here’s what you should know about best practices and who’s likely to be most affected.

What is an Action Day?

Action Days are typically called when the air quality index, also known as the AQI, gets into unhealthy ranges, according to the U.S. AQI website.

In Illinois, an Air Pollution Action Day is issued when the air quality is forecast to be at or above the Orange category for two or more consecutive days, meaning the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The Illinois EPA said in a news release that wildfire smoke would likely continue to have an impact on particulate levels in the northern third of Illinois, with Orange AQI levels on June 4th and June 5th, posing a potential health hazard to sensitive populations. Surface smoke may also have impacts further south in areas with a Moderate/Yellow forecast.

Where is Action Day being issued?

The Action Day includes the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Grundy, Lake, McHenry and Will, according to the Illinois EPA.

What should you do on Action Days?

The EPA recommends businesses and residents take part in the following activities to reduce air pollution:

•  Limit Driving – combine errands, walk, or bike if possible.
• If driving, avoid idling, consolidate errands and keep your vehicle and other engines properly tuned.
• Conserve energy to reduce energy demands.
• Use environmentally friendly household and cleaning products.
• Avoid using gasoline-powered equipment like lawnmowers and leaf blowers.
• Notify colleagues, friends and family to help protect their health and encourage actions.

Who is most at risk?

Those most at risk due to air pollution are individuals with respiratory or pulmonary disorders, as well as children and adults who are active outdoors.

People in these groups should follow their doctor’s advice and look out for symptoms like wheezing, coughing, a fast heartbeat, fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath. If symptoms worsen, you should call your physician or 911.

AQI scale explained

Here’s a breakdown of the EPA’s AQI scale for those who are unaware:

• Good (0 to 50): Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
• Moderate (51 to 100): Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
• Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101 to 150): Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
• Unhealthy (151 to 200): Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
• Very Unhealthy (201 to 300): Health alert. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
• Hazardous (301 and higher): Health warning of emergency conditions. Everyone is more likely to be affected.

Air quality map