City of Chicago Warming Centers will be open Citywide for Residents Seeking Relief from Severe Cold and Dangerous Wind Chills beginning Saturday, January 18 - Friday, January 24

City of Chicago Warming Centers will be open Citywide for Residents Seeking Relief from Severe Cold and Dangerous Wind Chills beginning Saturday, January 18-Friday, January 24

Winter Weather Toolkit for Alders, Community Groups and Media

CHICAGO: Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago encourages residents to be prepared for drop in temperatures and dangerous windchills beginning Saturday, January 18 through Friday, January 24 with temperatures dipping into the teens and with single digit and below zero windchills between -5˚ to -30˚. Additionally, warming centers will be available beginning Saturday, January18 through Friday January 24.

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will work closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) to monitor weather conditions 24/7 and alert the public to any changes.

Warming Centers

The City coordinates a network of 209 public facilities available for warming. This includes participating Chicago Public Library (78 locations), Chicago Park District (75 locations), Chicago Police Department (22 locations) and Senior Service Centers (21 locations) during business or designated hours. To find the closest available warming center and hours residents can contact 3-1-1 via phone or online at 311.chicago.gov, download the Chicago OEMC or visit the data portal link.- City of Chicago Warming Centers

Warming Center Locations Open Saturday, January 18-Monday, January 20.

· Garfield Community Service Center - 10 South Kedzie Avenue, 9a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday

· Chicago Public Library (78 locations), visit chipublib.org for hours and locations

o Libraries will be closed on Monday, January 20

· Chicago Park District (59 locations) locations will be open during hours of operation.

o 59 field houses open on Monday, January 20 - Chicago Park District Locations open MLK Holiday

· Chicago Police Districts (22 locations)

Warming Center Locations Open Tuesday, January 21- Friday, January 24

All Community Service Centers (9am-5pm)

· Englewood Community Service Center - 1140 West 79th Street

· Garfield Community Service Center - 10 South Kedzie Avenue (8 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21)

· Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center - 4314 South Cottage Grove

· North Area Community Service Center - 845 West Wilson Avenue

· South Chicago Community Service Center - 8650 South Commercial Avenue

· Trina Davila Community Service Center - 4312 West North Avenue

Senior Centers (21 locations) 8:30am-4:30pm - visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for locations

Chicago Public Library (78 locations), visit chipublib.org for hours and locations

Chicago Park District (75 locations) will be open during hours of operation

Renaissance Court, Chicago Cultural Center 72 E. Randolph, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Chicago Police Districts (22 locations)

Department of Family & Support Services

The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services activates warming areas at the City's six community service centers when temps are 32˚F or below.

· The warming areas are open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with reduced locations on holidays. Garfield Center at 10 S. Kedzie will have expanded hours from 8 a.m.to 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 19 - Tuesday, January 21.

· Seniors are welcome at any of DFSS's 21 senior centers. DFSS partners with OEMC to use robocalls to inform seniors of key information regarding how to stay safe during extreme weather. Visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for senior center locations and hours.

· Those seeking a warm place to go after hours can also call 3-1-1 to be connected with available services.

· Individuals requiring emergency overnight shelter should also call 3-1-1. While most DFSS-funded shelters operate 24/7, DFSS has activated five remaining overnight shelters for youth and adults to operate 24/7 from Saturday evening, January 18 through Wednesday morning, January 22 for warming for those shelter residents. Contact 311 for shelter placement.

· DFSS Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) teams and street outreach partners work proactively with unhoused individuals to connect with warming options, shelter and well-being checks. DFSS is coordinating with teams in select areas on Sunday, Monday and normal business day coverage resumes Tuesday, January 21.

· DFSS has also activated DFSS-funded daytime drop-in centers to provide extended hours to people experiencing homelessness. Below are locations and hours available Monday and Tuesday.

Lincoln Park Community Services (serving all populations)

1521 N. Sedgwick

Monday, January 20, 11 am - 4 pm

Tuesday, January 21, 11 am - 4 pm

Broadway Youth Center (serving youth)

1023 W. Irving Park Rd.

Tuesday, January 21, 9 am - 7 pm

· Residents are also encouraged to check on relatives, neighbors and friends during a winter weather emergency.

Warming center hours may be extended, along with other supports when the Office of Emergency Management and Communication (OEMC) enacts the City's Emergency Operations Plan for extreme cold conditions as defined by the National Weather Service. Please visit the OEMC website for up-to-date information during extreme weather events and download the OEMC app at Chicago.gov/OEMC.

Cold-Weather Tips:

• Motorists should take extra precautions to winterize vehicles and have necessary supplies on-the-go. Keep in mind, disabled vehicles or distracted driving can cause accidents, impact traffic and others or requiring emergency services.

• Residents should know the signs and care of frostbite and hypothermia. For Winter preparation information visit, Chicago.gov/OEMC for details and links to other local, state, and federal resources.

• Avoid unnecessary trips outside if you must go out, limit the time you stay outside.

• Wear several layers of loose, warm cloth.

• Keep your head, hands and feet covered when outdoor.

• Stay dry because moisture can damage the insulation effectiveness of clothing.

• Pay extra attention to your daily needs: get enough sleep, eat high energy foods, drink warm beverages to help your body stay warm, and avoid alcoholic beverages.

• Don't forget your pets, bring them inside during bitter cold and numbing wetness, to stay safe and warm.

Chicago Public Schools

Monday, January 20 and Tuesday, January 21 are non-attendance days previously scheduled for CPS students. CPS will post information on their social media channels and for any changes or updates, parents can also check the website at cps.edu.

Weather Preparedness and Weather Forecasts

For Winter safety and preparedness at your fingertips, residents are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information, DSS Snowplow Tracker and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar and public safety information as well. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website,Chicago.gov/OEMC.

Department of Water Management

The Department of Water Management reminds residents to prevent frozen pipes, make sure that warm air is circulating throughout the home and keep a trickle of water running. If pipes freeze, do not use candles or any open flame to thaw them. Use a hair dryer or heating pad. For more info visit www.chicago.gov/water

It's important to be prepared and take safety precautions. Residents are reminded to make your family, home and vehicles are prepared for winter conditions. Severe cold temperatures, strong winds and snow can cause additional hazards, whether home or traveling, so it's important to stay informed. OEMC issues several alerts and notifications to keep people up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.

• Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyChicago.org

• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices including flooding, TEXT "CHILAKE" to 7-8-0-1-5

• CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT "CHIBIZ" to 6-7-2-8-3

Suspicious Activity: If you See Something Say Something. OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).

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