With an arctic turn in the weather this week, Mayor Emanuel and Chicago city officials said Monday that people should call 311 if they need weather-related help, including rides to emergency shelter or city warming centers.
Callers to 311 can request the following:
* A ride and placement in an overnight shelter bed.
* A ride to a neighborhood warming center, which will remain open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday. A warming center at 10 South Kedzie Avenue is open 24 hours.
* A well-being check for someone who is elderly, disabled, homeless or otherwise vulnerable and at-risk.
* To file a heating complaint if rental housing is not maintained at 68 degrees during the daytime and evening and at least 66 degrees overnight.
* To report no water service or water main breaks.
Shelters serving homeless youth – The Crib, Ujima Village and A Safe Haven – will be open 24 hours until Thursday morning. Also, Teen Living Programs’ Bronzeville youth shelter will be open 24 hours for youth ages 13 to 17. Youth drop-in programs are also open extended hours.
Chicago school officials said they are monitoring weather conditions should it be necessary to close schools if the weather gets more severe, as predicted for Wednesday.
People can also stay at park facilities, libraries and police stations during public hours, and seniors can go to senior centers.
In the suburbs, people can contact police non-emergency numbers to ask about warming centers, many of which are housed in police station lobbies and libraries.
To find a warming center statewide, call the Illinois Department of Human Services’ hotline at (800) 843-6154, or visit www.keepwarm.illinois.gov