Warming Centers Open Doors In Northern Illinois As Temperatures Plummet

Different locations in northern Illinois are available to help residents weather the winter conditions.

State-authorized warming centers are located at Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) offices throughout the state. IDHS warming centers are open to the public during each facility's regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

The Illinois Tollway Oases in the Chicago area are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Jeff McMaster is Deputy Chief of the DeKalb Fire Department. 

“Have multiple layers on so that way you can regulate what’s comfortable so you stay warm enough," he says, "but yet, if you need to take a layer off, so you don’t perspire.”

McMaster says the city of DeKalb is working with Hope Haven to aid residents who need longer-term shelter.

Find a warming center

Additional warming center locations in northern Illinois:

Boone County

Belvidere Public Safety Building

615 N. Main St., Belvidere

24 hrs/7 days a week

Salvation Army

422 S. Main St., Belvidere

9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

DeKalb County

DeKalb Park District's Haish Gymnasium

303 S. Ninth St. 

6 a.m. to 7.45 p.m., Monday through Wednesday

6 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Thursday

8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Friday

10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Saturday

DeKalb Public Library

309 Oak St. 

9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday

9 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Friday

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday

1 p.m. to 11:45 a.m.

DeKalb Senior Center

330 Grove St. 

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Sycamore Police Department

535 DeKalb Ave.

24 hrs/7 days a week

Sycamore Public Library

9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday

9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday

1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Winnebago County

The Carpenter’s Place

1149 Railroad Ave., Rockford

8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Men’s Crisis Center of the Rockford Rescue Mission

715 W. State St., Rockford

East side building entrance off Rockton Ave.

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. /7 days a week

Oak Street Health

301 E. State St., Rockford

8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

Pecatonica Village Hall

405 Main St., Pecatonica

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Village of Machesney Park

300 Roosevelt Rd., Machesney Park

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Women’s Crisis Center of the Rockford Rescue Mission

715 W. State St., Rockford

North side building entrance off Mulberry St.

Women and Children Only

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m./7 days a week