Cooling center to open during excessive heat warning

OAK PARK, Ill. – An excessive heat warning for Cook County has been issued by the National Weather Service with dangerously hot conditions and heat index values predicted to reach up to 107 degrees on Monday and 110 degrees on Tuesday.

The warning has been issued for Mon., Aug. 26 and Tues., Aug. 27. The Village of Oak Park’s cooling center will be staffed by volunteers and open at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (611 Randolph St.) between 3-7 p.m. on Monday and between noon-8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Additionally, all three branches of the Oak Park Public Library will be open to serve as a cooling center. The Main Library (834 Lake St.) is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the heat wave this week. The Maze Branch (845 Gunderson Ave.) is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. The Dole Branch (255 Augusta St.) is closed Monday and open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

Oak Park Temple is unavailable to serve as a cooling center this week.

The cooling center is activated when outdoor temperatures reach 95 degrees or greater, or when there is a heat index of 103 degrees or greater for four or more hours between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

On excessively hot days, residents are encouraged to check on relatives, friends and neighbors who may be vulnerable to heat-related illnesses or not have access to air conditioning. 

While everyone is susceptible to heat-related illnesses, infants and young children, the elderly, people with mental illness and the physically ill, particularly those with heart disease or high blood pressure, are at greater risk.

To avoid overheating, Oak Park health officials recommend trying to stay out of the sun, wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, drinking water often and avoiding strenuous outdoors activities.

Learn more about staying safe as temperatures soar at www.ready.gov/heat. For the latest updates from the National Weather Service, visit www.weather.gov/lot. For more information, contact the Oak Park Health Department at health@oak-park.us or 708.358.5480.

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