Keep warm and look out for your neighbors during these Chicago cold snaps

We find it necessary to remind a strong city like Chicago — those low temperatures can be dangerous and deadly if the proper safety precautions are not taken.

SHARE Keep warm and look out for your neighbors during these Chicago cold snaps
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A man walks along Magnolia Avenue near Thorndale Avenue as more snow comes down in Chicago on Feb. 8.

Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Single-digit highs and below-zero lows are in the forecast for the weekend. Chicago neighborhoods are bracing for possible 30-below-zero wind chills to blow through them Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service.

For this city, these chilling details aren’t alarming enough to be considered breaking news. That’s Chicago. Same weather, different sweater.

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Editorials

However, we find it necessary to remind even the most cold-hardened Chicagoans — these low temperatures can be dangerous and deadly if the proper safety precautions are not taken.

Warming locations in Chicago

Chicago warming locations


Englewood Community Service Center

1140 W. 79th St.

(312) 747-0200

Garfield Community Service Center

10 S. Kedzie Ave.

(312) 746-5400

Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center

4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

(312) 747-2300

North Area Community Service Center

845 W. Wilson Ave.

312-744-2580

South Chicago Community Service Center

8650 S. Commercial Ave.

(312) 747-0500

Trina Davila Community Service Center

4312 W. North Ave.

(312) 744-2014


After years of surviving record-setting arctic blasts, we know the drill. Grab those gloves, put on your hat and dress in enough layers to have you sweating the minute you step indoors.

We know most of you have got it covered, but don’t forget to help out the most vulnerable.

Share helpful information with neighbors who might need it. Even the simple notion of reminding someone to call 311 if they need to seek shelter at a warming center could help save a life.

When temperatures are at 32 degrees or below, warming areas are available at Chicago’s six community service centers. The city also has about 100 overnight shelters that provide a bed and hot meal to those who are experiencing homelessness.

For the latest information on the warming areas, such as finding the nearest location near you, calling 311 is there for assistance. The city’s service also helps with requests on welfare checks for a neighbor or loved one, and to report inadequate heat in a residential building.

The wind chills Friday through Monday will range from 20 below zero to 30 below zero.

Look out for your elderly neighbors, remind children to bundle up and hand over a warm blanket to your family or pet — even if they feel like they don’t need it. The temperatures say otherwise.

Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.

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