Fewer cooling centers open on a hot holiday

Fewer cooling centers open on a hot holiday

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If you’re in Chicago and looking for a spot to cool off, you’ve got fewer options Wednesday because of the Fourth of July holiday.

Normally, the city of Chicago’s 79 library branches, police stations and senior service centers are open as temporary cooling centers. Today, those are closed, but Chicago’s regional cooling centers will remain open.

Matt Smith, spokesperson for Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services, said nobody should worry if they’re looking for a place to cool down.

“If anyone needs our cooling centers, there are six that are open during regular business hours today, and one of those centers stays open 24 hours so people can get into them in their area,” said Smith, adding that the city will also provide transport to a cooling station if it’s not close by.

He recommended calling 311 to find out where the nearest cooling center may be.