Finally, some warming centers

Thank you Chicago Department of Human Services, Chicago Public Libraries and Chicago Park District for providing these warming locations. Thank you LORRAINE SWANSON for the heads up.

The Chicago Department of Human Services has opened its North Side warming center at 4740 N. Sheridan for people who need refuge from the extreme cold weather. The center, which you can reach at 312-744-2580, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For transportation to the center, call 311.

Also open to anyone needing a warm place to spend the day are the following libraries and park district buildings:

Sulzer branch, 4455 N. Lincoln
Uptown branch, 929 W. Buena
Edgewater branch, 1210 W. Elmdale
Rogers Park branch, 6907 N. Clark
Margate Field House, 4921 N. Marine
Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf
Warren Park, 6601 N. Western
Willye B. White Park (formerly Gale School Park), 7631 N. Ashland

The city is asking residents to also call 311 if they spot a homeless person outside during the dangerous cold and to check on elderly relatives and neighbors.

If you are renting and experiencing a cold or unheated apartment, call the Chicago Department of Buildings at 311. The buildings department will send out an inspector for a heat inspection; landlords are subject to fines.

The city requires landlords to adequately maintain the heat in their rental buildings. From Sept. 15 to June 1, building owners are required to provide the following temperatures for their tenants: 68 degrees from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and 66 degrees from 10:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.

A National Weather Service wind chill warning remains in effect until noon Friday. Mercury readings as of 10 a.m. Friday morning along the city's far north lakefront were -8 degrees, with a -20 wind chill reading.