Extreme Cold On North Shore: What's Closed During The Deep Freeze

NEW TRIER TOWNSHIP, 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 and a state of emergency has been declared. 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. About 70 percent of winter deaths related to ice and snow occur in motor vehicles, according to the American Red Cross.

Here's what's closed in and around New Trier Township:

• District 35 — Closed Wednesday and Thursday
• District 36 — Closed Wednesday and Thursday
• District 39 — Closed Wednesday and Thursday
• New Trier High School District 203 — Closed Wednesday and Thursday
• Sunset Ridge District 29
• Loyola Academy
• North Shore Country Day School
• Regina Dominican High School
• Ronald Knox Montessori
• St. Joseph School
• Glenview Montessori School
• Congregation Sukkat Shalom
• Family Services of Glencoe
• French Institute of North Shore
• North Shore Senior Center
• Northfield Community Nursery School
• Glencoe Park District
• Glencoe Public Library — Closed until 1 p.m. Thursday
• Wilmette Public Library — Closed until noon Thursday
• Winnetka-Northfield Public Library — Closed until 1 p.m. Thursday
• Winnetka Park District — Closed until 10 a.m. Thursday
• Northfield Park District — Closed until noon on Thursday
• Cook County Court — Closed Wednesday and Thursday
• Non-essential Cook County offices
• Metra Union Pacific North Line will operate on alternate schedule

(As of 6 p.m. Tuesday)

Village officials announced offices would be closed and trash pickup would be delayed:

Wilmette

Due to the extreme temperatures forecasted, Advanced Disposal has decided to suspend all garbage and recycling operations on Wednesday and Thursday for the safety of their employees. Thursday's route will be collected on Friday, and Friday's route will be collected on Saturday. Additionally, recycling will not be collected for the remainder of this week - only garbage will be collected.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but appreciate your patience. Regular garbage and recycling collection will resume on Monday, February 4th. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Public Works at 847.853.7500 or pubworks@wilmette.com.

Winnetka

Village Open on Wednesday, January 30

With the exception of some outside work, such as refuse collection, inspections, meter readings, etc., the Village of Winnetka will remain open for regular business hours on Wednesday, January 30.

Refuse & Recycling Cancelled on Thursday
Collection schedules moved back one day

Due to extremely cold forecast temperatures, refuse collection and recycling collections will be cancelled on Thursday.

Thursday’s collections will be completed on Friday; and Friday’s collections will be completed on Saturday.

Glencoe

Village Hall will remain open on Wednesday and Thursday in order to provide residents with essential life-safety services. We encourage residents, however, to hold off on visiting Village Hall for
non-essential business until temperatures rise. ...

Garbage and Recycling Collection:Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) has announced that they will not provide garbage and recycling collection services on Wednesday (affecting commercial customers only). Should service be delayed on Thursday as well, that information will be shared by LRS and will be posted here and on the Village’s social media accounts. Call LRS at (773) 685-8811 to report a missed collection. Holiday tree collection will be extended until Wednesday, February 6.

... If your home loses heat, remember that Village Hall is a warming center. 24-7 access to the building is available via the Hazel Avenue entrance. Simply pick up the video phone receiver in the vestibule to be connected to an emergency dispatcher. Other local warming centers can be found here.

Northfield

Waste Management has suspended all trash collection services for Wednesday AND Thursday, and will resume trash collection on Friday. Residents with scheduled trash collection for Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday should place trash carts out by 6AM on Friday, and all trash carts will be serviced by Saturday evening. Because they will have to complete three days of trash service in two days, residents with Wednesday, Thursday and Friday recycling service WILL NOT have it picked up this week- it will instead be collected next week on your regular scheduled collection day.

Cold weather tips:

Residents should follow these tips during cold weather to keep themselves and their families safe:
Never use your oven for heat.
Never bring charcoal or gas grills indoors (they are a carbon monoxide hazard).
Make sure all portable heaters are unplugged when not in use.
Use electric space heaters with extreme caution – avoid placing them near curtains or other flammable materials and turn them off before going to bed.
Keep heat at adequate levels or leave faucets open with a slight drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
Keep moving. Your body generates its own heat when you engage in physical activities.