Extreme heat poses a real threat to residents, especially elderly people and people with health complications, in the Chicago area, but there are plenty of free places and resources to help you and your neighbors keep cool when the weather gets dangerously hot.

Chicago cooling centers

With the exception of the Garfield Center, which is open 24 hours all the time, Chicago's cooling center locations are typically open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday:

·         Englewood Center (1140 W. 79th St.)

·         Garfield Center (10 S. Kedzie, open 24 hours) 

·         King Center (4314 S. Cottage Grove Avenue)

·         North Area Center (845 W. Wilson Ave.)

·         South Chicago Center (8650 S. Commercial Ave.)

·         Trina Davila Center (4312 W. North Ave.)

Extreme heat may lead to extended cooling center hours, including on weekends, so be sure to check if you need to utilize one. 

Chicago Public Library locations, police stations and other public facilities may also be made available after hours or on weekends to help people find relief outside of the normal cooling center hours. Chicago libraries, over 30 Chicago Park District fieldhouses, pools, and splash pads are all free to access. Water fountains are available at library locations. 

For a complete list of locations, visit the Park District's website.

Call 311 to locate a center near you or request a well-being check for someone who may be suffering from the heat.

Cook County cooling centers

Cook County has dozens of cooing centers that are open and available during the summer, and also often extends their hours during extreme heat events.

Two locations are open 24 hours a day at all times: the Evanston cooing center at 1703 Orrington Avenue and the Hazel Crest Department of Fire and Rescue at 3000 W. 170th Place. 

Several other cooling centers are open 24/7 during heat waves:

• Orland Park Police Department at 15100 S. Ravinia Avenue
• Bettenhausen Rec Center in Tinley Park at 8125 W. 171st Street
• Tinley Park Police Department at 7850 W. 183rd Street
• Tinley Park Public Safety Building at 17355 S. 68th Court

And other Cook County cooling centers regularly extend their hours and days of operation as needed. To find the closest Cook County cooling center near you, click here. 

Chicago swimming pools 

Chicago swimming pools opened for the season on June 21 and will remain open into August. All 50 Chicago Park District pools are open seven days a week for the first time since 2020.

The city said outdoor pools will primarily be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, with some pools having longer hours on weekends. 

Along with the outdoor pools, 27 indoor pools citywide will return to their pre-pandemic schedule of being open six days a week starting June 21.

Visit the Chicago Park District's swimming pool directory to find the closest public pool near you, plus its days and hours of operation.   

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke: Symptoms and how to treat

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are major risks during a heat wave, especially with high humidity. It is easy to become overheated and dehydrated in high temperatures, so it is essential to make sure you are drinking enough water.

Heat exhaustion is milder than heat stroke. It can develop after several days of exposure to heat and inadequate or unbalanced fluid replacement. Heatstroke is a serious illness that happens when the body begins to lose its ability to regulate its own temperature and functions, and can result in permanent disability or death if not treated as quickly as possible.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, high body temperature and decreased urine output. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing heat exhaustion move into a cool indoor space or shade immediately, give them liquids to drink, remove unnecessary clothing including shoes and socks, used cold water or a cold compress to cool the person down on their head, face and neck, and frequently sip cold water. The CDC also encourages calling 911 or taking the person to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room for treatment.

Heatstroke symptoms include confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech, hot and dry skin or profuse sweating, very high body temperature, loss of consciousness, and very high body temperature. If treatment is delayed, it can quickly become fatal, the CDC says. 

If you are with someone experiencing heat stroke, call 911 immediately and stay with that person until help arrives. Move them into a shaded, cool area and remove their outer clothing then work to cool them down as quickly as you can with cold water or an ice bath if possible. Wet the skin or place cold, wet clothes on the skin, or soak their clothing with cold water. You should also circulate the air around them by fanning to help cool them off. The CDC also recommends placing cold wet cloths or ice on the head, neck, armpits and groin to help cool them faster. 

How to protect your pets from the extreme heat

Extreme heat can also be dangerous to your pets.

Best Friends Animal Society recommends, before walking your pets, first touch the pavement with your hand. If you can't hold it comfortably for at least 7 seconds, it's too hot for your dog. Try using booties to protect their paws, or avoid the pavement altogether and keep them on the grass.

Never leave your pet unattended in a hot car.

Pets also get dehydrated quickly, so have plenty of fresh cool water on hand.