City of Rockford Human Services Department announces cooling sites

Staff Report

The City of Rockford Human Services Department announces the availability of cooling sites throughout the city and surrounding area this summer. Cooling sites offer air-conditioned relief during periods of excessive heat or when an Excessive Heat Advisory or Warning is issued by the National Weather Service.

For more information about how to stay cool, healthy and safe this summer, go to www.keepcool.illinois.gov. The purpose of Keep Cool Illinois is to inform Illinois residents, especially the elderly, families with small children and persons with disabilities, how to prevent heat-related health problems, reduce their utility bills and participate in summer activities safely.

The list of participating cooling sites is as follows:

The Carpenter’s Place, 1149 Railroad Ave., Rockford. (815) 964-4105. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Jubilee Center, Park Avenue and North Court Street, Rockford. (815) 964-5520. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.

Winnebago County Justice Center, 650 W. State St., Rockford. Lobby Open 24 hrs./7 days a week.

Public Safety Building, 420 W. State St., Rockford. Lobby Open 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Rockford Rescue Mission, Rockford. (815) 965-5332. Men’s Crisis Center, 715 W. State St., Rockton Ave. Entrance. (815) 316-4148. 24 hrs./7 days a week. Women’s Crisis Center, 809 Cedar St. (815) 986-0393. Hours:8 a.m.-5 p.m./7 days a week.

Salvation Army, 1706 18th Ave., Rockford. (815) 397-0440. 7 days a week. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Salvation Army, 422 S. Main St., Belvidere. (815) 544-3892. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Keen Age Center, 3141 Henry Luckow Ln., Belvidere. (815) 544-9893. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Most local State of Illinois facilities are available as cooling centers. Call the Illinois Department of Human Services hotline at (800) 843-6143 for more information.

From the June 8-14, 2011 issue