Extreme Cold In Highland Park: What's Closed

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Schools, services and other organizations will be closed on Wednesday due to dangerously cold weather as a wind chill warning begins in the area. Many local businesses and facilities will be closed — so if you must venture out, make sure to call ahead and take adequate precautions.

Some of the coldest temperatures are expected to begin Tuesday night and Wednesday night, when temps will be -20 to -30, the National Weather Service said, with wind chills from -40 to -55. Temperatures will remain below zero throughout the day Wednesday and may also struggle to get above zero on Thursday.

Such temperatures can cause frostbite to exposed skin in less than 10 minutes. Keeping non-essential motorists off the road would ease the burden on emergency responders at work during the extreme weather event, according to local officials.

Here's what's closed in Highland Park:

• District 112 — Closed Wednesday and Thursday
• District 113 — Closed Wednesday and Thursday
• North Shore Academy, all N.S.S.E.D. programs
• Congregation Solel
• Highland Park Public Library
• Park District of Highland Park — All classes cancelled
• Lake County Court — Closed Wednesday and Thursday
• Non-essential Lake County offices

(As of 6 p.m. Tuesday)

City Hall and the Highland Park Police Department will remain open as warming centers, as will the Recreation Center.

Highland Park Police Department, 1677 Old Deerfield Road, is open to residents as a warming center 24 hours per day.
Recreation Center of Highland Park, 1207 Park Avenue West, is open to residents as a warming center during the following modified hours on Wednesday and Thursday of this week:
Wednesday - 7 AM through 7 PM
Thursday - 7 AM through 10 PM

In case of emergency, call 911. For non-emergency assistance, Highland Park city staff will remain available at the following phone numbers:

Police: 847.432.7730
Fire: 847.432.3110
Public Works: 847.432.0807
After Hours: 847.432.7730