IL Cold-Related Death, Water Main Breaks, School And Court Closings Reported Ahead Of Dangerous Cold

With dangerously cold temperatures expected Thursday night through Saturday, some local school districts, courts and park districts are canceling events or going remote, while below-freezing temperatures have already led to water main breaks and at least one death this week.

An 81-year-old Evergreen Park woman died in her home Monday of cold exposure, authorities said, as temperatures hovered in the single digits.

Meanwhile, in Lockport, water main breaks on Wednesday night and Thursday morning were affecting all residents, officials said. Residents were warned to expect rusty water as well as low water pressure due to the incidents.

Kane County officials notified residents that all court proceedings on Friday will take place remotely via Zoom due to the extreme temperatures. All Kane County courts and judicial facilities — including the branches in Aurora and Elgin, the Kane County Courthouse in Geneva, the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles, and the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center Court in St. Charles — will be closed.

ALSO READ: Dangerous Cold: Joliet Park District Canceling Several Events, But Not Everything

Many area school districts are closing buildings on Friday, with most going to e-learning, including Valley View, Frankfort District 157-C, Lincoln-Way District 210, Plainfield School District, Joliet Township High School District 204 and Joliet Public School District 86, Manhattan District 114, New Lenox District 122, District 230, District 146, Kirby District 140 and Orland District 135, as well as districts in Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Arlington Heights, Glenview, Northbrook, Libertyville, Grayslake, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Palos, Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Skokie, Highland Park and more.

The cold will begin Thursday night, when temperatures could get as low as -14 degrees, and wind chills could be as low as 40 below zero. The cold continues into Friday morning, and by Friday afternoon, wind chills could still be as low as 25 below zero, according to the weather service. Saturday morning will see a high of -2 degrees, and wind chills as low as 10 below zero will continue into Saturday afternoon.

The National Weather Service Chicago urges residents to stay indoors if possible, bring pets indoors and let faucets drip slowly to avoid frozen or burst water pipes.

How To Watch For School Closings

Here are some ways to stay informed on weather-related closings during extreme weather:

• Sign up for your local Patch newsletter.
• Check out the emergency closing center website.
• Follow your school district's Facebook page and other social media accounts.

Most school districts will also send out email alerts and make phone calls to parents if a decision to close schools is made.

Warming Centers Available

Residents who are without heat should not attempt to tough it out. Warming centers are available throughout the Chicago area. Those without heat should call ahead before heading to a warming center to check hours.

Find a list of warming centers available in your county here:

• Cook
• DuPage
• Kane
• Kendall
• Lake
• McHenry
• Will

Stay Safe In The Cold

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency urges residents to practice cold-weather safety:

• Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing.
• Wear mittens instead of gloves.
• Wear water-repellent clothing.
• Wear a hat.
• Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
• Make sure small children, infants, and the elderly stay warm. They are more vulnerable to the cold.
• Take advantage of warming centers, public park facilities, and heated stores and malls.
• Where possible, try to keep one room in your home heated to 68-70 degrees.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Eat high energy foods and drink warm beverages.
• Beware of overexertion; shoveling snow or pushing disabled cars can be very strenuous and should only be done by individuals in good health.

Safe heating tips:

• Electric heaters can be hazardous and should be used with caution to prevent shock, fire, and burns. Follow the usage instructions carefully and keep clothing and blankets away from heating elements.
• Carbon monoxide can kill. Be careful using fireplaces; make sure flues are clear and properly ventilated.
• Gas ovens, burners, and charcoal should never be used to heat your home.
• NEVER use generators in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation.

Vehicle safety in cold weather:

• Make sure your car is in good operating condition before using it in extreme cold.
• Keep condensation (water) out of your gas tank by keeping the tank as full as possible.
• Maintain a storm kit in your car with items such as a cell phone and charger; blankets; extra clothing; jumper cables; a flashlight; high-calorie, non-perishable food; and matches or a lighter.
• Plan your trip carefully. If cold, snowy, or icy conditions exceed your ability or your car's ability, don't travel.
• Tell someone about your travel plans.
• Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.