When temperatures are 32ºF or below, the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) activates warming areas. Cooling areas are activated when the City’s emergency response plan is in place or when it’s very hot. Both of these kinds of centers typically operate Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
Chicago Warming & Cooling Centers
- Englewood Community Service Center
1140 West 79th St | (312) 747-0200
- Garfield Community Service Center
10 South Kedzie Ave | (312) 746-5400
- Martin Luther King Community Service Center
4314 South Cottage Grove | (312) 747-2300
- North Area Community Service Center
845 West Wilson Ave | (312) 744-2580
- South Chicago Community Service Center
8650 South Commercial Ave | (312) 747-0500
- Trina Davila Community Service Center
4312 West North Ave | (312) 744-2014
A network of 284 public facilities across the city provide spaces available to the public during their typical business hours. These include Chicago Park District buildings, Chicago Public Libraries, and City Colleges.
Seniors are also welcome at any of DFSS’s 21 senior centers.
During extreme weather events, some shelters and drop-in centers will operate with extended hours, including the Salvation Army Freedom Center (825 N Christiana Ave).
In suburban Cook County, the following courthouses become warming areas in extreme cold weather: The Markham Courthouse (16501 S. Kedzie), Maywood Courthouse (1500 Maybrook Dr), and Skokie Courthouse (5600 Old Orchard Rd).
