With temperatures threatening to drop to negative digits all across the Chicago area, the city is encouraging residents who need to stay warm to seek their nearest warming center.
The warming centers operate inside the six community service centers between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. West Siders can take advantage of the Garfield Park Community Center, 60 S. Kedzie Ave., and West Humboldt Park’s Trina Davila Community Service Center, 4312 W. North Ave. As the city website notes, the Garfield Park Community Center is open around the clock to help anyone who needs to find emergency housing.
In addition to the community centers, libraries act as de facto warming centers during their regular hours of operations. Austin has three branch libraries – the Austin branch library, 5615 W. Race Ave., West Chicago Library, 4856 W. Chicago Ave., and North Austin library, 5724 W. North Ave. Residents can also take advantage of North Lawndale Douglass library, 3353 W. 13th St., West Garfield Park’s Legler Regional Library 115 S. Pulaski Rd., West Humboldt Park’s North Pulaski library, 4300 W. North Ave., and Richard M. Daley library, 733 N. Kedzie Ave., serves parts of East Garfield Park and West Humboldt Park.
The Chicago Public Library system website warns patrons that the weather may disrupt regular hours, and encourages patrons to call ahead.
In addition, several Chicago Park District fieldhouses will serve as warming centers, but not every day. In North Lawndale, Douglass Park fieldhouse, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. will be open on Jan. 15 at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while Homan Square Park fieldhouse, 3559 W Arthington St., will be open on Jan. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit the Chicago Park District website, at https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/, for the most up to date information.
