Suburban Centers to Remain Operational Throughout Holiday Weekend
The Chicagoland area is projected to get hammered with a significant amount of snowfall overnight and throughout Friday and bone-chilling temps starting Saturday into early next week.
The National Weather Service has reported that there could be upwards of 7-10 inches of snow and wind chills that will make it feel as cold as -20°F Sunday with bitterly cold temperatures continuing through Tuesday morning.
To help residents combat these extreme weather conditions, Cook County is opening 24-hour warming centers in the north, west and south suburbs. The warming centers will open at 3 p.m. Saturday and run continuously until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16.
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 Road, Skokie, IL 60077
- Maywood Courthouse: 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, IL 60153
- Markham Courthouse: 16501 S. Kedzie Ave., Markham, IL 60428
The County’s warming centers will provide water and snacks as well as access to restrooms. Resident 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. Municipalities around the County also operate warming centers.
View the complete list of warming centers throughout Cook County.
The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security reminds residents to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and their families during extreme, cold weather.
EMRS urges you to keep the following tips in mind through the cold winter months:
- 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.