The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch this week for the Chicago area due to extreme heat and humidity, which may include dangerously hot conditions with heat index values of 105˚ to 110˚.
Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. Please follow the tips below to ensure that you and your loved ones stay safe during extreme heat!
Extreme Heat Safety Tips
- Stay hydrated! Drink lots of water, and avoid alcohol, caffeine, sodas.
- Stay inside! If you do not have air conditioning, keep shades drawn and blinds closed, but windows slightly open.
- Keep electric lights off or turn them down.
- Minimize use of your oven and stove.
- Wear loose, light, cotton clothing.
- Take cool baths and showers.
- Do not leave anyone (including pets) in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
- Check on relatives, neighbors, seniors, and our vulnerable populations. If you’re unable to make contact with them, you can request a well-being check by calling 311, or filing a request through 311.chicago.gov or the CHI311 app. If there is a medical emergency due to a heat related illness, call 9-1-1.
Cooling Centers in or near the 40th Ward
The City makes some public buildings available to people to cool down during regular business hours. These includes participating Chicago Public Library branches, Chicago Park District locations, Chicago Police Departments, and Senior Service Centers. If you do not have access to air-conditioning, you can visit any of the nearby cooling centers during their open hours.
For a full list of cooling center locations, please visit Cooling Centers – Map | City of Chicago | Data Portal.
- Budlong Woods Library: 5630 N Lincoln Ave
- Mondays and Wednesdays: 12-8pm
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10am-6pm
- Fridays and Saturdays: 9am-5pm
- Sundays: 1-5pm
- Edgewater Library: 6000 N. Broadway
- Mondays and Wednesdays: 12-8pm
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10am-6pm
- Fridays and Saturdays: 9am-5pm
- Sundays: 1-5pm
- Northtown Chicago Public Library: 6800 N. Western Avenue
- Mondays and Wednesdays: 12-8pm
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10am-6pm
- Fridays and Saturdays: 9am-5pm
- Sundays: 1-5pm
- Broadway Armory: 5917 North Broadway
- Seniors only!
- Monday–Friday: 8:30am–4:30pm
- Northeast Levy Senior Center: 2019 W. Lawrence Avenue
- Monday-Friday: 8:30am- 4:30pm
- Phone # 312-744-6681
- Warren Park Fieldhouse: 6601 N. Western Avenue
- Monday-Friday: 9:00am–8:30pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00am-3:30pm
- Willye B. White Park Fieldhouse: 1610 W. Howard Street
- Monday-Friday: 9am-9pm
- Closed Saturday and Sunday
- 24th District Police Station: 6464 N Clark Street
- Open 24/7 during extreme heat
- 20th District Police Station: 5400 N Lincoln Ave
- Open 24/7 during extreme heat
- Pottawattomie Park Fieldhouse: 7340 N. Rogers Avenue
- AC is currently under maintenance; call ahead! 773-262-5835
Shelter Services
If you or someone you now is currently unhoused and need overnight shelter, you can call 311 or the resources below:
- The Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC): 2241 S. Halsted Street
- Provides shelter placement for single individuals
- Not a cooling center or shelter—call ahead to ensure availability: 773-526-3707
- The Salvation Army Emergency Assessment and Resource Center (EHARC) – 924 N. Christiana
- Provides shelter placement and overflow beds for families with children under 18 years of age.
- Not a cooling center or shelter—call ahead to ensure availability: 872-281-7610