Cook County will experience extreme cold weather for several days starting Saturday evening. The National Weather Service has advised that wind chills will make it feel as cold as -10°F over the next several days.
Cook County is opening warming centers in the north, west and south suburbs to help residents combat extreme weather conditions. The warming centers will be open 24 hours beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, January 17, and will run continuously until 8 a.m. Wednesday, January 21.
Residents who do not have adequate access to heat are advised to seek respite at a warming center.
The center locations are as follows:
- Skokie Courthouse: 5600 Old Orchard Rd., Skokie
- Maywood Courthouse: 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood
- Markham Courthouse: 16501 S. Kedzie Ave., Markham
The warming centers will provide water and snacks as well as access to restrooms. Residents can bring pets in cages or carriers. If you do not have a cage or carrier, there will be a limited number available at each courthouse location.
Local municipalities are also operating warming centers:
Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, open Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Louis S. Viverito Senior Center, 7745 S. Leamington Ave., Burbank, open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Orland Township, 14807 Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Residents should call 2-1-1, if you need additional information about a warming center near you or other social services.
The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security reminds residents to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and their families during extremely cold weather.
EMRS urges you to keep the following tips in mind:
- Never use your oven for heat.
- Never bring charcoal or gas grills indoors (they are a carbon monoxide hazard).
- Make sure all portable heaters are unplugged when not in use.
- Use electric space heaters with extreme caution – avoid placing them near curtains or other flammable materials and turn them off before going to bed.
- Keep heat at adequate levels or leave faucets open with a slight drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
- Keep moving. Your body generates its own heat when you engage in physical activities.