Warming centers open in DeKalb County

DeKALB – DeKalb County has warming centers throughout DeKalb, Sycamore and Genoa free to use and open to help all in the area looking to get out of the bitter cold.

Those in need are asked to call the facility before traveling out into the cold to ensure availability.

[ DeKalb church seeking overnight warming center volunteers ]

In DeKalb

The city of DeKalb recently announced a list of available warming centers to help residents during the winter months.

The city also is accepting additional facilities to add to the warming centers list. To be added to the list, call 815-748-8460.

The warming centers include:

• Hope Haven, 1145 Rushmoore Drive. Call 815-787-4567. Open 24 hours daily.
• DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St. Call 815-756-956. Weekly hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• (This location does not open until Jan. 11) Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb, 158 N. Fourth St. Call 815-217-8235. Hours are from 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.
• DeKalb Salvation Army Community Center, 830 Grove St. Call 815-756-4308. Weekly hours are from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday and from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Closed Friday through Sunday.
• Christ Community Church, 2350 Pride Ave. Call 815-787-6161. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Closed Friday through Sunday. Only open when temperatures are 20 degrees or lower.

Under city of DeKalb Municipal Code, landlords must provide heat to residential buildings to maintain a room temperature of at least 68 degrees between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., and at least 62 degrees at other times.

To request a well-being check for someone who may be suffering from extreme weather, call 815-748-8400.

To report inadequate heat in a residential building, call 815-748-2070 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. After hours, call 815-739-0745.

In Sycamore

• Sycamore Police Department, 535 DeKalb Ave., open 24 hours every day.
• Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St., open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

In Genoa

• Genoa Police Department, 333 E. First St. To contact the nonemergency police department for issues such as main breaks, call 815-784-6633. For emergencies, dial 911.