Chicago summer cooling centers and financial aid.
Illinois and the city of Chicago can be hit by intense summer heat. When this occurs cooling centers may be opened around Chicago as well as the greater Cook County region. In addition, the city may occasionally have government funds and grants, including those from LIHEAP, which can help with paying for air conditioning and electric bills. Or free fans may be distributed to seniors and families with children who live in Chicago.
Financial assistance is usually distributed when temperate reach into the 90s. The state of Illinois, and the city, may use LIHEAP money to assist the less fortunate. While any type of financial help is valuable, it can only provide assistance to a small number of people as resources are limited, and the demand during a hot stretch is fairly significant. Normally Chicago will limit any aid to families with young children, senior citizens, or a household member that is disabled or in poor health. Keeping people safe, especially those who are at most risk to heat, is always a priority in the state of Illinois.
Various low income guidelines are in place as well and that need to be met by applicants. In general, current customers under the state’s electric Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) are ineligible for summer electric bill assistance. To apply or learn more on LIHEAP summer assistance, you can visit your local administrating agency, which tends to be a Family Service office. They may be a line or wait, so feel free to call ahead. Or, for any type of summer cooling bill assistance that may be available, dial 877-411-9276.
In addition to grants for paying electric bills, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) works with Chicago and Cook County to provide other services. The state will urge families with small children and seniors to take whatever special measures are necessary in order to stay cool and safe.
So one of the steps the state and city of Chicago take is to open cooling centers across the region. Dozens of locations are available across Cook County and the city. The locations provide people, regardless of their age, culture, race, or background, a place to stay cool and comfortable during the hot and humid days of summer. The cooling centers will generally be located at Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) offices and senior centers. Some locations may distribute cold water, serve a meal, and also allow people to apply for energy bill assistance.
Locations of the centers in Chicago Illinois
Uptown, 2112 W. Lawrence Ave, 60625-2495
Calumet Park cooling center is at Department Of Human Services, 831 West 119th Street, Chicago, 60643-5274
Northwest neighborhood center, 4105 West Chicago Ave, Chicago, 60651-3698
Kane County residents can stop by their Department Of Human Servicesoffice at 600 S. State Street, Elgin, 60123. Use the cooling center, or apply for electric bill help.
Macon County, 707 East Wood St., Decatur, IL, 62523
Peoria County DHS, 2301 N.E. Adams Street, Suite C, Peoria, IL 61603-2989
St. Clair County and East St. Louis cooling locations is at 225 N 9th Street, East St. Louis Illinois.
Will County residents are served by Department Of Human Services at 45 E. Webster Street in Joliet.
Cook County, Humboldt Park DHS is at 2753 W. North Avenue, Chicago IL 60647
Southeastern Cook County center. Address is 8001 S. Cottage Grove in Chicago
Englewood DHS office, 5323 South Western Ave., Chicago, 60609-5436
11203 S. Ellis Ave, Chicago, 60628-4696
Chicago Lower North part of the city is served by the Department Of Human Services cooling center at 2650 West Fulton Street.
Mid South, 1642 W. 59th St. Chicago IL 60636-1735
Northwest DHS center. 4105 West Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
Another cooling station is at 3910 West Ogden, Chicago, Illinois 60623. Seniors, low income families, and the working poor can explore resources, including LIHEAP and weatherization.
Woodlawn neighborhood residents should call Department Of Human Services. Address is 915 East 63rd Street, Chicago, IL 60637-3609. Learn about LIHEAP assistance as well.
743 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60624
South Suburban - Blue Island, 3301 Wireton Rd., Blue Island, Illinois 60406
Chicago Heights – Drs, 1010 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights
Melrose Park - West Suburban, 2701 West Lake Street, Melrose Park, Illinois
Skokie DHS cooling center is at 8020 St. Louis Ave, Skokie, IL 60076-2923
Chicago Southland is served by a center at Lincoln Oasis, Tollway, West Of Illinois Route 394, South Holland, IL 60473
Cook County Humboldt Park DHS office is at 2753 W. North Avenue in Chicago
Southeast Cook County, 8001 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, Illinois
Humboldt Park, 1 Illinois Blvd., Chicago IL
Southeast Chicago residents can stop by 8001 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago
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