Illinois cooling centers open today

Families encouraged to stay safe and healthy during hot temperatures

[JULY 17, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding residents how to avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion and to check on their elderly neighbors in the coming days to make sure they are not at risk. Beginning Monday, more than 130 state office buildings throughout the state are being made available by the Department of Human Services to serve as cooling centers.

Cooling centers open

The cooling centers are located at Department of Human Services offices throughout the state and will be open to the public during regular business hours, so anyone seeking refuge from the heat has a cool place to go when the temperature climbs. More information on the state's cooling centers will be available by calling the toll-free line [phone], or locations can be found by ZIP code online at www.keepcool.illinois.gov.

To help all Illinoisans stay healthy, safe and cool this summer, the governor launched the statewide, comprehensive Keep Cool Illinois campaign and website last month. The Keep Cool Illinois campaign is multiagency effort to inform Illinois residents, especially the elderly, families with small children, homeless and people with disabilities, how to prevent heat-related health problems, reduce their utility bills and participate in summer activities safely.

"With intense summer heat just around the corner, I am urging all Illinoisans to take advantage of state resources available through the Keep Cool Illinois campaign, including the energy assistance program that starts in two weeks," Blagojevich said. "Extremely hot weather can cause serious health problems for everyone. For those who have no air conditioning in their homes or no cool place to go, the cooling centers offer a clean, safe place to take refuge from the heat. I also urge residents to take simple steps to protect themselves from health complications, like checking on your family and neighbors and drinking plenty of fluids."

The governor directed the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to make $8 million in state and federal funding available July 31 through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program's summer cooling program to assist vulnerable populations, including seniors, the disabled and families with small children, with their household energy bills and protect them from dangerous weather conditions.

[State news release]

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