By: Lauren McRae

Due to the extreme heat for the next several days, Healthy You is providing the following information from our surrounding communities on how to beat the heat and stay safe and healthy.

When temperatures in Cook County are expected to rise to unsafe levels, the County's Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security provide Cooling Centers for residents to get out of the heat.

Residents are reminded during hot weather to:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Try to stay in the shade or indoors as much as possible
• If working outside, take frequent breaks, preferably in an air-conditioned space
• Check on elderly neighbors and those with functional needs
• Take pets indoors and make sure they have plenty of water
• Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle

Residents who do not have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of cooling centers throughout Cook and Lake counties. 

Keeping You Safe:

All cooling centers in Cook and Lake County will be implementing measures to protect against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic while also ensuring every resident can safely cool off. Per public health guidance, Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) has implemented deep cleaning and disinfecting protocols, and reconfigured cooling areas to accommodate physical distancing that enables visitors to stay at least six feet apart. Other protocols include wearing a face covering.

If you are unable to find the information you’re looking for, please contact your local village hall. 

The Full List of Cooling Centers in Illinois:

As part of his Keep Cool Illinois campaign, the Governor has made over 120 state facilities available as cooling centers. Tollway Oasis locations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Department of Human Services cooling centers are open during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Simply input your zip code and see the full list of cooling centers in your area. For more information about DHS Cooling Centers, call the Illinois Department of Human Services hotline at 800.843.6154 during normal business hours.

Cook & Lake Counties:

When temperatures in Cook County are expected to rise to unsafe levels, the County's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management provides Cooling Centers for residents to get out of the heat. Here is an interactive map of all the locations in Cook County that offer cooling centers.

For a full list of the cooling centers in Lake County, visit here. 

Evanston:

Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St.
9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday

Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823 Church St.
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday

Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave. 
7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday

Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St.
7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday and Friday
8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday

Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St.
7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday - Sunday

Main Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday
Noon to 6 p.m., Sunday

North Branch Library, 2026 Central St.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday

Chicago Ave./Main St. Branch Library, 900 Chicago Ave.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday

For more information about the cooling centers, call or text 847.448.4311 or visit here. For convenience, residents may simply dial 311 in Evanston. 

Glencoe:

Glencoe Village Hall
675 Village Court, Glencoe, IL 60022
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday 
After-Hours Access: Enter through the south door of Village Hall and use the videophone in the vestibule to be connected with a dispatcher, who can open the door to the building

Glencoe Public Library
320 Park Avenue, Glencoe, IL 60022
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday

Takiff Center
999 Green Bay Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday
7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday

Glenview: 

Glenview Village Hall, 2500 East Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL 60026 (24 hours - pets welcome, but must be crated, no exceptions)
Glenview Park Center, 2400 Chestnut, Glenview, IL 60026 (regular business hours)
Glenview Public Library, 1930 Prairie, Glenview, IL 60026 (regular business hours)

Highland Park:

Highland Park Police Department
1677 Old Deerfield Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035
24 hours 

Recreation Center of Highland Park
1207 Park Ave W, Highland Park, IL 60035
5 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., Monday - Thursday
5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday
6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Highland Park Public Library
494 Laurel Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035
9 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday - Thursday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday
1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 

Highland Park City Hall
1707 St Johns Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

Lincolnwood:

The Lincolnwood Community Center, Village Cooling Center
Police-Fire Training Room at 6900 N. Lincoln Ave, Lincolnwood, 60712
Opens Thursday, July 18 at Noon and will remain open until Sunday morning, July 21.

Northbrook:

Northbrook Village Hall
1225 Cedar Lane, Northbrook, IL 60062
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday

Northbrook Library
1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook, IL 60062
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday - Thursday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday
1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

North Suburban YMCA
2705 Techny Road, Northbrook, IL 60062
5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday - Friday
6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday
7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

North Shore Senior Center
161 Northfield Road, Northfield, IL 60093
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

For more information about the cooling centers in Northbrook, visit here.

Skokie

Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL
847.673.7774
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday
Noon to 6 p.m., Sunday

Skokie Park District
Devonshire Cultural Center
4400 Greenwood Ave., Skokie, IL
847.674.1500 x 2400
8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday

Skokie Park District
Oakton Community Center
4701 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL
847.674.1500 x 2700
8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Skokie Park District
Weber Leisure Center
9300 Weber Park Place, Skokie, IL
847.674.1500 x 3500
5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday – Friday
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday