The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Central Illinois for the next few days. Here are some cooling centers people can go to get a break from the heat in Bloomington, Normal and the surrounding areas.

As of the writing of this blog, the Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect until 10pm Thursday, August 24th. The National Weather Service warns of temperatures in the mid to upper 90s. They say the heat index could make it feel as hot as 105 to 110 each day.

McLean County describes these cooling centers as,

“A short-term emergency location where people can get out of dangerous temperatures to prevent injury or loss of life. Typically, a stopping point until the people can move on, or to, a more appropriate facility. No food or sleeping accommodations are provided. Some cooling centers are 24-hour businesses where people can stop in.“

Here are the cooling center locations listed by mcleancountyil.gov…

Arrowsmith:

• Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief to assist you. (Tim Christianson 309-531-3800).

Bloomington:

• Bloomington Public Library, 205 E. Olive St., 309-828-6091 – M-Th 9 am – 9 pm & F/Sa 9 am – 5 pm/Su 1 – 5 pm. Available space will be limited.
• Connect Transit Bus – availability determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on available resources & weather; parking lot of the McLean Co Health Dept, 200 W. Front St., Bloomington.
• Denny’s Restaurant, 701 Eldorado St. 309-663-5251, open 24 hours.
• Walmart, 2225 W. Market St., open 6 am – 11 pm.
• Junction @ Home Sweet Home Ministries, 301 E. Oakland Ave, Bloomington, M-F 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Normal:

• Denny’s Restaurant, 1615 N Main St, open 6 am – 12 am.
• Meijer, 1900 E. College Ave, 6 am – midnight.
• Normal Public Library, 206 W. College Ave, Current hours are: Su 1 pm-5 pm, M-Th 9 am–6 pm, F/Sa 9 am – 5pm.
• Uptown Station, 11 Uptown Circle, Available daily until last train at 9:00 pm
• Walmart, 300 Greenbriar, 7am – 11 pm.

Bellflower:

• Bellflower Community Center cafeteria, 104 W. Center St., enter the NE double doors, 10 am – 6 pm Th-Sa.

Chenoa:

• Chenoa Fire Dept 920 E. Cemetery Ave., call the MetCom non-emergency number, 309-888-5030 and they will contact the fire dept to be sure the station is manned.

Cooksville:

• Call the MetCom non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief or village president to assist you.

Downs:

• Downs Fire Dept, 102 W Main St., Downs – open 24 hours Call 309-378-2021 to make sure it is staffed.

Heyworth:

• Village Hall, 108 S. Buchanan St., 7:30 am – 3:45 pm M-F, contact on site staff for assistance.
• Heyworth Fire Dept upon notification, 103 S. Buchanan St. 309-473-3223.

Hudson:

• Hudson Fire Dept, 502 N. Broadway, Hudson. Call first to see if station is manned, 309-726-1501.

LeRoy:

• Loves Travel, 505 S. Persimmon Dr. 24 hrs.
• Additional place will be available if requested, stop by or call the LeRoy Police Dept., 110 S. East St., 309-962-3310.

Lexington:

• Can open one if needed, contact Metcom at 309-888-5030 they will contact Lexington police, fire, or EMA to assist.

McLean:

• Road Ranger Truck Stop, 315 E. Dixie Rd- open 24 hours

Saybrook:

• Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief to assist you.

Stanford:

• Allin Twnsph Fire Dept, 104 W. Main St., Stanford. Call the MetCom non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire dept to assist you.

Homeless Shelters:

• Salvation Army Safe Harbor, 208 N Oak St, Bloomington – Open for people that are residents or day center patrons that are not banned from the property or from receiving services.
• Home Sweet Home Ministries, 303 E. Oakland Ave, Bloomington – Open 24 hrs Families and single women can stop into the lobby for 15 minutes to cool down. Residents are allowed during normal residential hours.

CLICK HERE FOR A MAP OF THESE LOCATIONS

By Buck Stevens