CHICAGO — Chicago comes alive in the summer — but the season can also see dangerously hot and humid days that put people’s health at risk.
Several city agencies provide resources like cooling centers, pools and wellness checks that can help Chicagoans beat the heat and keep each other safe. The Department of Family and Support Services and Park District offer free access to cool-down facilities.
When Chicago has extreme heat-related weather, the public can turn to these places for respite:
- Community Service Centers, or cooling centers
- Libraries
- Local parks
- Senior centers
- Community colleges
- Pools
- Beaches
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Cooling Centers
Cooling centers are operated by the city and are air-conditioned public spaces where people can come inside for a place to escape the heat. In Chicago, there are a number of facilities that operate as cooling centers.
Note: Call 311 to confirm your location of choice is open, as some cooling centers are only activated on an as-needed basis. You can also call your local police station to help find the nearest cooling center.
Community Service Centers
There are six designated community service centers throughout the city that serve as Cooling Centers. They are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday when activated and require a face covering to enter (which is available and free onsite). They’re activated as cooling centers on an as-needed basis and during periods of extreme heat.
Those centers:
- Englewood Center: 1140 W. 79th St.
- North Area Center: 845 W. Wilson Ave.
- Garfield Center: 10 S. Kedzie Ave.
- South Chicago Center: 8650 S. Commercial Ave.
- King Center: 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
- Trina Davila Center: 4312 W. North Ave.
Senior Centers
Several senior centers also offer cooling center hours 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Locations:
- Central West Center: 2102 W. Ogden Ave.
- Renaissance Court: 78 E. Washington St.
- Northeast Senior Center: 2019 W. Lawrence Ave.
- Southeast Senior Center: 1767 E. 79th St.
- Northwest Senior Center: 3160 N. Milwaukee Ave.
- Southwest Center: 6117 S. Kedzie Ave.
Park District
The Park District offers a map of more than 40 cooling center locations, each with its own set of operating hours. Some of these locations also have splash pads and water features.
View the map below or see a list view here.
Community Colleges And Libraries
Other places of respite during extreme heat include City Colleges of Chicago locations and Chicago Public Library branches. Hours of operation vary by location and weather conditions.
City Colleges locations:
- Daley College: 7500 S. Pulaski Road
- Harold Washington College: 30 E. Lake St.
- Kennedy-King College: 6301 S. Halsted St.
- Malcolm X College: 1900 W. Jackson Blvd.
- Olive-Harvey College: 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave.
- Truman College: 1145 W. Wilson Ave.
- Wright College: 4300 N. Narragansett Ave.
See below for a list of library locations, as well as over 220 other sites that serve as cooling areas.
Pools
The Park District’s 50 outdoor community pools are open during the summer. There are also an additional 27 indoor pools that are typically open year-round. At times, the Park District also works with public schools that have indoor pools in areas where a Park District pool isn’t available.
To see a full list of pools, locations and hours, look here.
Beaches
Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, Chicago’s 26 miles of lakefront beaches are open to the public for free. Lifeguards are on duty 11 a.m.-7 p.m. during the summer season.
See a complete list of beaches here.
Recognizing Heat-Related Illness
Hot weather can bring about two common heat-related illnesses: heat exhaustion and heatstroke. For people who are pregnant, work outdoors, are older, live alone or have small children, the risk of developing these issues is increased, so extra precautions should be taken.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion can develop after exposure to high temperatures without adequate fluids. Possible symptoms include dizziness, headaches, weakness, muscle cramps and nausea. If you feel you have heat exhaustion, seek a location with a cooler temperature and slowly drink water or another cold beverage, according to the Police Department. Get medical attention if symptoms don’t improve.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a more serious condition that develops when a person’s body can’t regulate itself properly. Symptoms include nausea and dizziness, a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, skin that looks red and is hot, a throbbing headache and a strong, rapid heartbeat.
Call 911 immediately if you notice someone experiencing heatstroke. The person should be moved to a cooler place and be cooled with water, according to the city. If necessary, head to a Chicago Public Library location, which should have a water fountain.
Requesting A Well-Being Check
Well-being checks are requests the public can make for police to check in on a friend, family member or neighbor who may be alone or high-risk during extreme heat — particularly those with small children, those with special needs or older adults.
If you try to make contact with your neighbor or loved one but can’t get a response, you can request a wellbeing check by calling the city’s 311 non-emergency number, using the CHI311 app or going to 311.chicago.gov.
You can also call 311 to find the nearest cooling center near you.
Hot Weather Tips
There are things you can do to help keep you safe and cool during the summer:
- Wear light-colored, loose clothing in breathable fabrics like cotton, and use a wide-brimmed hat.
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Don’t go outside during periods of extreme heat. If you have to go outside, stay where there’s shade. If possible, plan activities for later in the day or in the evening.
- Stay hydrated by drinking 16-32 ounces of cool water or fluid per hour — but stay away from pop, alcohol and coffee.
- If you don’t have air conditioning, you can keep your space cool by keeping the lights off, minimizing use of the oven and stove and keeping the blinds closed with the window slightly ajar. Staying on lower floors, keeping frozen water bottles on hand and seeking relief at an air-conditioned building are also recommended.
- Cool down with a cold shower or bath.
- Monitor your health and the health of high-risk neighbors and loved ones. Make sure you have the necessary contact information. Call 311 for a wellbeing check if you can’t get ahold of them, or call 911 if you or someone you know experience heatstroke.
Pets And Children
Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, especially when it’s hot. A few minutes inside a hot car is too long. According to the city, temperatures inside a vehicle can be as much as 15-20 degrees higher than the outside temperature in just 10 minutes, even with windows left slightly open. The result can be tragic — heatstroke or death.
If you see a pet in a car during the summer and can’t find the vehicle’s owner nearby, call the city’s 311 non-emergency police line.
Can I Open A Fire Hydrant To Cool Down?
Neighbors do open fire hydrants when it’s hot but the practice is not legal. Opening a hydrant is against the law and dangerous for kids to play in, according to the Police Department. Plus, it may cause basement flooding, reduce water pressure in nearby homes and make it more difficult for the Fire Department to fight fires.
You can call 311 if you see an open hydrant.
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