Warming Centers

Service Information

The County’s warming centers will provide water and snacks as well as access to restrooms. Residents can bring pets in cages or carriers. If you do not have a cage or carrier, there will be a limited number available at each courthouse location.

Municipalities throughout Cook County also operate warming centers which are listed below. 

Warming Centers Open During Periods of Extreme Cold

When temperatures in Cook County are expected to dip to unsafe levels, the County's Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security provides an updated list of warming centers for residents to protect themselves and their families. 

Residents should also keep the following tips in mind through the cold winter months:

  • Never use your oven for heat.
  • Never bring charcoal or gas grills indoors (they are a carbon monoxide hazard).
  • Make sure all portable heaters are unplugged when not in use.
  • Use electric space heaters with extreme caution – avoid placing them near curtains or other flammable materials and turn them off before going to bed.
  • Keep heat at adequate levels or leave faucets open with a slight drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Keep moving. Your body generates its own heat when you engage in physical activities.

The list of warming centers can also be found on the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security website: https://cookcountyemergencymanagement.org

Residents who need to seek shelter at a warming center should contact the center first to verify availability and hours of operation.

Warming centers within the City of Chicago can be found on the city's website.