In Advance of a busy July 4th Holiday the City of Chicago Provides Safety Tips and Encourages Residents and Visitors to Plan Ahead and Report Suspicious Activity by Calling 9-1-1

The City of Chicago will mark the 4th of July holiday weekend with multiple events, Cubs games, parades, fireworks at Navy Pier and more. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is advising residents to stay vigilant and celebrate the holiday safely and responsibly.

The City of Chicago will have citywide deployments over the July 4th Holiday to ensure the safety and security of the public. OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders. CPD and CFD will have additional special event resources deployed for the 4^th of July holiday across all city neighborhoods.

Report Suspicious Activity: If You See Something, Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

Extreme Heat Warning in Effect

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for Chicago in effect until Friday, July 3, at 12:00 a.m. This means dangerously hot conditions with the heat index valued at approximately 105 degrees each afternoon.

Tips to Beat the Heat - Heat Safety Tips from Marvel's Ironheart

· Stay hydrated - drink lots of water, AVOID alcohol, caffeine, sodas.

· Stay inside; if you do not have air conditioning, keep shades drawn and blinds closed, but windows slightly open.

· Keep electric lights off or turn them down.

· Minimize use of your oven and stove.

· Wear loose, light, cotton clothing.

· Take cool baths and showers.

· Do not leave anyone (including pets) in a parked car, even for a few minutes.

Available Cooling Centers - Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2

DFSS Community Service Centers

The Department of Family and Support Services' (DFSS) six community service centers activate cooling areas during periods of extreme heat at 90˚F and above.

The cooling areas operate from Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

· Auburn Gresham Center - 1140 W. 79th Street

· Garfield Center - 10 S. Kedzie Ave. (open until 8:00 p.m. all week through Friday, July 3)

· King Center - 4314 S. Cottage Grove

· North Area Center - 845 W. Wilson Ave.

· South Chicago Center - 8650 S. Commercial Ave.

· Trina Davila Center - 4312 W. North Ave.

DFSS Senior Centers

Seniors are welcome at any of DFSS's senior centers (Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. except Renaissance Court, which is open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). DFSS partners with OEMC to use robocalls to inform seniors of key information regarding how to stay safe during extreme weather. Visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for senior center locations.

Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library, City Colleges of Chicago, and Chicago Police District Locations

During hours of operation, residents can also find relief in one of the City's Chicago Public Library locations, City Colleges of Chicago main campus locations, Chicago Park District fieldhouses, as well as pools and splash pads located throughout the city, as well as lakefront beaches. For more information on Park District cooling resources, please visit: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/cooling-centers 

The Chicago Police Department's 22district stations are available 24 hours for relief from the heat and to be connected with shelter.

Available Cooling Centers - Friday, July 3

DFSS Community Service Centers

The Department of Family and Support Services' (DFSS) six community service centers activate cooling areas during periods of extreme heat at 90˚F and above.

The cooling area will operate through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.:

· Garfield Center - 10 S. Kedzie Ave. (Friday, July 3 is a City Holiday)

Note: If the extreme heat persists into the weekend, Garfield Center will also be open for cooling on Saturday and Sunday.

Chicago Park District and Chicago Police District Locations

During hours of operation, residents can also find relief at one of the City Park District's fieldhouses, as well as pools and splash pads located throughout the city. For more information on Park District cooling resources, please visit: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/cooling-centers

The Chicago Police Department's 22 district stations are available 24 hours for relief from the heat and to be connected with shelter.

For locations visit Cooling Centers - Map | City of Chicago | Data Portal or chi.gov/cooling. Residents should contact 3-1-1 for the nearest location and hours. Note: Only the Park District facilities listed on the data portal provide access to air conditioning, as some facilities are not air-conditioned.

Independence Day and Weekend Events Include:

Fireworks at Navy Pier

Saturday, July 4, 9:00 p.m.

To Celebrate Independence Day weekend Navy Pier will have an on Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m. and an extended display on Saturday, July 5 at 10 p.m. For details visit NavyPier.org

Hyde Park 4th on 53rd, Saturday, July 4, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrate the 4th of July in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, with a beloved local tradition going back over 30 years. The parade kicks off at 11:00 a.m. with marching bands, floats, community groups, and kids on decorated bikes with a free festival after the parade from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The parade will begin at 1525 E. 53rd in the Hyde Park Bank parking lot, go south on Lake Park Avenue to 55th, east on 55th to Hyde Park Boulevard, north on Hyde Park Boulevard to 53rd Street, and west on 53rd Street to Nichols Park located at 1355 E. 53rd where the parade will end.

For more details, please visit: Celebrate the 4th of July in Chicago's Hyde Park with 4th on 53rd Parade, Free Festival & Concert Series

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs

Friday, July 3, 3:05 p.m., Saturday, July 4, 7:08 p.m., Sunday, July 5, 1:30 p.m.

The Cubs take on the Cardinals at Wrigley Field this 4th of July weekend. For more details, please visit: www.mlb.com/cubs

Chicago OEMC App - Know Before You Head Out

For safety and preparedness at your fingertips this Summer, residents and visitors are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, CHI Safe Walk, weather information and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current events and forecasts, and other weather-related information as well. The app can be downloaded through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC.

Fireworks Ban and Safety

The Chicago Fire Department wants to remind everyone that fireworks are banned statewide, and that the City of Chicago also bans sparklers and bottle rockets. The injuries incurred every year range from minor burns to devastating and life-changing injuries that include loss of fingers, damage to eyes, and fatalities. The Chicago Fire Department is prepared with enough resources to respond to any emergency. Residents and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the many fireworks shows put on by venues such as Navy Pier and countless professional displays in the area. Leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Chicago Beach Safety

The Chicago Park District urges patrons to enjoy the beaches safely and responsibly and look for "No Swimming Allowed" signage that indicates that swimming is not sanctioned in that area. Visitors should consult the district's website or social media platforms to ensure water conditions are safe for swimming before heading out to the beach and only enter the water when a lifeguard is on duty. Swim hours are 11am to 7pm, daily, through Labor Day. Swimming anywhere else along the lakefront is not permitted. For details and information on a beach near you, visit ChicagoParkDistrict.com.

Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, event and concert attendees are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area as well as along DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 5700 North to 6600 South and various points along the lakefront trail. The pole markers help reference their location within the park to event security and first responders if there is an emergency.

Public Transportation: As with all busy weekends and large-scale events citywide public transportation is encouraged. Public transit is the most affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to get to and from summertime events. For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com.

Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible re-routes. There will be some street closures in effect for larger events to ensure public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at select events citywide to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. Residents and motorists should be aware of the following large events.

Weather and Public Safety: OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. Residents are encouraged to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date information, please tune into local media or download the Chicago OEMC app.

OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.

· Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org

· CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT "CHILAKE" to 7-8-0-1-5

· CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT "CHIBIZ" to 6-7-2-8-3

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).