Although COVID-19 put a damper on summertime Chi as we know it — the chill nights with friends at the Lakefront, attending music festivals and hanging at the beach — the pandemic isn’t going to stop the blazing hot and humid temperatures from coming our way. 

This week, according to the National Weather Service, Chicago and the surrounding Cook County area is under an excessive heat risk as temperatures are expected to hover in the low 90s. Because of this, city officials worry about residents, especially seniors, possibly suffering from heat stroke — including symptoms of dizziness, nausea, intense headaches and a fever above 103 degrees.

To provide relief for Chicagoans who may not have air-conditioned homes, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced today that more city departments are opening up their facilities to serve as cooling centers for residents this week.

Starting today through Friday (July 10), the city will have six cooling centers for all residents, six cooling areas specifically for seniors, 50 Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) cooling buses at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) locations, cooling areas at 75 Chicago Public Library locations, cooling stations at 30 Chicago Park District field houses and more than 100 splash pads at local parks. 

“Every resident deserves safe shelter from the summer heat. Through this coordinated, collaborative and comprehensive citywide response, our departments and agencies are working around the clock this week to ensure that resources are readily accessible for every Chicagoan,” Lightfoot said in a press release.

And because the COVID-19 pandemic is still in full effect, the city will be taking necessary measures to make sure each cooling center is deep cleaned and disinfected. Anyone partaking in the cooling center are required to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.

“Our city services are only as strong as the residents of this city, which is why we need everyone to do their part and look out for each other,” Lightfoot continued. “If any resident is in need of help or knows someone who needs relief from the extreme heat, please don’t think twice about calling 3-1-1.”

Check out this city’s list of cooling centers and the city’s map showing the locations of cooling buses, splash pads and more.