Chicago heat warning: CPS indoors Mon–Wed + Cook County cooling centers

During the Chicago-area extreme heat warning from Monday, June 29, 2026 (starting at 12 p.m.) through Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (through 10 p.m.), families needed clear, nearby places to cool down. Here’s how to use the key official resources that were active during that window in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Cook County courthouses, and the City of Chicago’s additional cooling services.

1) CPS guidance for families: summer programming moved indoors

CPS told families that, per the district’s extreme heat policy, all summer programming—including athletic summer programming—would be held inside Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the warning week. CPS also said all classrooms are equipped with air conditioning, and that its facilities team would work with schools to address air-conditioning issues if needed.

CPS also recommended practical steps for parents and guardians: students should bring full water bottles, and CPS said opportunities to refill water would be provided throughout the day.

2) Cook County courthouse cooling centers: where to go and when

Cook County opened cooling centers at three courthouse locations during the extreme heat period. Cook County said the courthouse cooling centers were open 24 hours at the Skokie, Maywood, and Markham courthouses as of 12 p.m. and running until Thursday, July 2, at 5 p.m.

• Skokie Courthouse: 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077
• Maywood Courthouse: 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, IL 60153
• Markham Courthouse: 16501 S. Kedzie Ave., Markham, IL 60428

Cook County also said residents may bring pets if they are secured in a carrier. It further advised that anyone seeking shelter at a cooling center should contact the center first to verify availability and hours of operation.

3) Additional City of Chicago cooling resources (as reported by WBEZ)

WBEZ reported that the City activated additional heat-wave cooling-related services, including:

• Six community service cooling centers and 20 senior centers, available until Thursday
• Garfield Community Service Center, open through Friday with hours extended until 8 p.m.
• 287 cooling facilities across the city (including Chicago Public Library branches, Park District facilities, City Colleges campuses, and police district stations)

WBEZ also said residents could locate the nearest cooling option by calling 311, and that 911 should be used for medical emergencies related to heat.

A quick checklist for the next heat warning

• Know the official window: CPS’s indoor requirement was Monday, June 29 (12 p.m.) through Wednesday, July 1 (10 p.m.). Cook County courthouse cooling centers continued through July 2 at 5 p.m.
• For families following CPS summer programming: follow CPS’s indoor schedule and send students prepared with full water bottles.
• If you need an indoor place to cool: use the Cook County courthouse list for the June 29–July 2 hours, and use City resources through 311 to find nearby cooling options.
• Call ahead when possible: Cook County advised contacting cooling centers first to verify availability and hours.
• For emergencies: call 911 for heat-related medical emergencies; use 311 for non-emergency requests for cooling resources or wellness checks.

Sources

• Chicago Public Schools (CPS) community update: Heat warning guidance this week (June 2026)
• Cook County IL: Cooling Centers (courthouse cooling centers opened during extreme heat, June 29–July 2, 2026)
• WBEZ: Heat-wave city services roundup for Chicago-area cooling resources