The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition, in conjunction with our coalition members, developed a 2021-2022 winter emergency plan that includes Emergency Warming Centers at Oak Park Hospital, West Suburban Medical Center, and the Oak Park Library during operation hours. These centers will be open for people to stay warm during extreme weather events.
Emergency Warming Center Locations Announced:
West Suburban Medical Center (3 Erie St, Oak Park, IL 60302)
Open daily from 6 pm until 6 am in the Emergency Room
Rush Oak Park (610 S Maple Ave, Oak Park, IL 603040)
Open 24/7 when temperatures dip below 32 degrees. Entrance is located in the old emergency room on the east side of the building.
Oak Park Public Library - Main Location (834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301)
Mondays–Thursdays: 9 am–9 pm
Fridays: 9 am–6 pm
Saturdays: 9 am–5 pm
Sundays: Noon–5 pm
Oak Park Public Library - Dole Branch (255 Augusta St, Oak Park, IL 60302)
Mondays: Closed
Tuesdays–Thursdays: 10 am- 9 pm
Fridays: 10 am–6 pm
Saturdays: 10 am–5 pm
Sundays: Noon–5 pm
Oak Park Public Library - Maze Branch (845 Gunderson Ave, Oak Park, IL 60304)
Mondays–Thursdays: 10 am–9 pm
Fridays: Closed
Saturdays: 10 am–5 pm
Sundays: Noon–5 pm
In cases of prolonged extreme weather, an emergency overnight shelter will be open at a church or churches in Oak Park.
The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition is working closely with Rush Oak Park, Housing Forward and Takeout 25 Oak Park to provide an Emergency Warming Center and help people experiencing homelessness get through the harsh winter months.
In partnership with local restaurants and Delivery First, Takeout 25, will deliver food twice a day (breakfast & dinner) through the coldest months.
Volunteers and Meals Needed For Emergency Warming Shelters
If you are interested in volunteering to assist as a shelter associate or help transport individuals or donate meals, please email Cherrell Jackson at cjackson@housingforward.org. Thank you!
Distribute Resources
If you’ve been looking for a way to help people experiencing homelessness in Oak Park, you can download and distribute shelter information cards or refer people to the EntryPoint website or the Health Connection HUB database.