Beat the Heat!

Keep Your Cool During Extreme Hot Weather

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, along with officials from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS), Chicago Park District, City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and other City departments and sister agencies have made significant advancements to ensure that more than 200 citywide cooling resources are available in the City’s response plan to extreme-heat weather conditions.

These resources include cooling areas at community service centers, senior centers, libraries, police stations and City Colleges, in addition to cooling buses and Chicago Park District splash pads. Some or all of these resources will be activated during periods of extreme-heat or as conditions warrant. Occupancy limits are in effect at these locations and masks are required while in the buildings in line with public health guidance. Please note that Chicago Public Library locations are only operational as cooling centers during regular operating hours.

A list of all citywide cooling resources can be found:

On the digital cooling area map (click here to access)

On the printable list of cooling areas (click here to download)

By calling 3-1-1.

For timely updates and other information on weather preparedness, follow OEMC on Twitter via the handle @ChicagoOEMC and sign up for free emergency alerts at NotifyChicago.org.

Well-being Checks

City resources and plans are more impactful with the support of every Chicagoan. We all should make a special effort to check on friends and neighbors during heat waves, especially older adults, young children, and residents with special needs. If you are unable to make contact, you can request a well-being check by downloading the CHI311 app, visiting 311.chicago.gov, or calling 3-1-1.

Public Health Guidance

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. A heatstroke is more serious and occurs when the body starts to lose its ability to regulate itself. The telltale signs of a heatstroke are:

An extremely high body temperature, such as 103 degrees or above

Dizziness and nausea

A throbbing headache and a pulse that is rapid and strong

Skin that is red, hot and dry

Some populations are at a higher risk in cases of extreme heat and should take extra precautions to protect themselves from heat, monitor their wellbeing, and access city cooling services. This includes people who:

Are pregnant

Live alone

Work outside

Are elderly

Have young children

If you see someone suffering from heatstroke, call 9-1-1 immediately and then try to move the person into a cool place and cool the person with water. Water fountains are available at Chicago Public Library locations.

Cooling Areas at Community Service Centers

Cooling areas at the City's six community service centers are activated when the City’s emergency response plan is in place or as conditions warrant. When online, cooling centers operate from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays – Fridays.

Physical Distancing: To protect against COVID-19, all City cooling centers have been reconfigured to accommodate physical distancing that enables visitors to stay at least six feet apart.

Face Covering: Additionally, visitors are required to wear a face covering while in the cooling areas. DFSS will provide free face coverings for guests who do not have one and want to utilize the cooling areas.

Englewood Center

1140 W. 79th Street

Chicago, IL 60621

Garfield Center

10 S. Kedzie Ave.

Chicago, IL 60612

King Center

4314 S. Cottage Grove

Chicago, IL 60653

North Area Center

845 W. Wilson Ave.

Chicago, IL 60640

South Chicago Center

8650 S. Commercial Ave.

Chicago, IL 60617

Trina Davila Center

4312 W. North Ave.

Chicago, IL 60639