Get Out Of The Heat At These Northern Illinois Cooling Centers

We can't make up our minds. When it's hot, we want it cold. When it's cold, we want it hot.

Okay, so it's hot. Really hot. Don't-screw-around-out-in-the-heat-or-you-could-have-a-big-problem hot. So hot that cities that care about their community's well-being are doing something about it.

We're staring down 90 degrees-plus temperatures with even higher heat indices over the next few days, and several heat advisories have been issued, so cooling centers in Rockford, Loves Park and Belvidere are going to be lifesavers. Literally.

In All Seriousness, This Kind Of Heat Can Quickly Become Deadly, So Share The Information With Someone Who Might Need It

In 2021, a record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest killed over 200 people in the U.S. and nearly 300 in Canada, so we know that providing relief from crazy hot conditions can and does save lives.

To prevent fatality numbers like that from happening here, cooling centers open up when there's a warning or excessive heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

Here Are The Cooling Centers Currently Operating In Winnebago And Boone Counties

Like I said, even if you don't need a cooling center, there are plenty of people who do, so sharing information is key here.

From The City of Rockford:

Winnebago County Sites

• The Carpenter’s Place, 1149 Railroad Ave. Rockford, 8:15 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State Rockford, 8 to 5 p.m., seven days a week; Open 24 hours for persons needing overnight shelter.
• City of Rockford Health and Human Services Department, 612 N. Church St. Rockford, 8 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Loves Park City Hall (gymnasium), 100 Heart Blvd. Loves Park, 8 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Brooke Road United Methodist Church 1404 Brooke Road, Monday-Thursday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Boone County Sites

• Belvidere Public Safety Building, 615 N. Main St. Belvidere, 8 to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Area State Authorized Sites

• Belvidere Oasis/Illinois Tollway, East of Belvidere Toll Plaza on I-90, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.