Chicago

Here's a List of What's Closed This Week Due to Dangerous Cold in Chicago Area

By Tuesday afternoon, numerous closures were announced for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures are expected to reach historic levels

What to Know

  • Here's a look at places that have announced closures so far in the Chicago area as a result of the extreme cold

Several schools, businesses and buildings are closed this week as life-threatening cold pushes its way into the Chicago area. 

Chicago Public Schools announced that all schools would be closed Wednesday and Thursday.

By Tuesday afternoon, numerous closures were announced for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures are expected to reach historic levels. 

Pete Sack breaks down how quickly frostbite can occur in the dangerous cold set to hit the Chicago area. 

A Wind Chill Advisory began at 4 a.m. Tuesday and continues until 6 p.m., when a Wind Chill Warning begins. The warning remains in effect through Thursday afternoon. 

  • Want to know if your child's school will be closed this week? Check here for an update list. 
Here's a look at places that have announced closures so far:
  • The Art Institute of Chicago will remain closed on Thursday as a result of the cold weather gripping Chicago. 
  • The AMC River East 21, located in Streeterville in downtown Chicago, is closed Wednesday. 
  • Country artist Kacey Musgraves has canceled her show on Thursday, and rescheduled it for March 25. 
  • Columbia College Chicago is set to close beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday and will remain closed through Wednesday, including all academic and business operations of the campus. The college plans to reopen Thursday at 10 a.m. but will "monitor weather conditions and issue updates as needed."
  • The University of Chicago, DePaul and Northwestern Universities will close their campuses from Tuesday until Thursday morning. Illinois State University in Normal announced Monday it will close at 11 p.m. Tuesday and won't reopen until 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
  • Chicago Public Schools announced that Wednesday's classes have been canceled.
  • The cold will curtail Amtrak operations. Some scheduled trains between Chicago and St. Louis, Carbondale, Milwaukee and Detroit have been canceled.
  • Navy Pier is closed to the public Wednesday, and several attractions, including the Centennial Wheel and The Beach Chicago, will be closed on Thursday. 
  • Lincoln Park Zoo revealed it would close early at 3 p.m. Tuesday and will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday "for the safety of both animals and guests." "Our dedicated staff will remain on-site to care for the animals here, many of which will be inside in their barns and dens," the zoo said in a statement. "Several species that are acclimated to these conditions will continue to have outdoor and indoor access such as the polar bears."
  • The Chicago Zoological Society also announced Brookfield Zoo would be closed both Wednesday and Thursday, but will have a "skeleton crew on site" to care for animals. This marks only the fourth time in the zoo's 85-year history that is has closed. 
  • The Adler Planetarium will also be closed to the public both Wednesday and Thursday. It will reopen for business Friday. 
  • The Shedd Aquarium will closed to the public Wednesday. A decision on whether the aquarium would remain closed for Thursday was expected to be announced Wednesday. 
  • The Museum of Science and Industry will be closed Wednesday to staff and guests. Normal operations are expected to resume Thursday, but officials plan to monitor the forecast. 
  • In McHenry County, all county offices will be closed Wednesday and in DuPage County, all health department public health centers will be closed Wednesday in Addison, Lombard, West Chicago, Westmont and Wheaton. 
  • Lake County Indiana government buildings will be closed both Wednesday and Thursday. This closure will include all offices and courts in Crown Point, Indiana as well as Lake County Courthouses in Hammond, Gary and East Chicago. The buildings will reopen Friday.
  • The Chicago Botanic Garden will also be closed Wednesday. 
  • The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois will be closed Wednesday.
  • The Art Institute of Chicago announced it will be closed Wednesday "due to the extreme temperatures and for the safety of our staff and visitors."
  • The Cook County offices of the Assessor, the Board of Review, the Clerk and the Recorder of Deeds will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
  • Will County office buildings will be closed Wednesday.
  • Access Community Health Network health center locations will be closed Wednesday. 
  • Chicago Veterans Benefits Affairs Regional Office will close at 2 p.m. Tuesday and remain closed both Wednesday and Thursday. 
  • The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Business Offices and lobbies, along with numerous other Lake County government offices, will be closed on Wednesday.
  • The Village of Niles will close its Village Hall beginning Wednesday and will remain closed until noon Thursday. 
  • The Niles Family Fitness Center will be closed from 6 p.m. Tuesday through noon Thursday. 
  • DuPage County administrative offices will be closed Wednesday and will reopen at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. 
  • Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will be closed and all programs canceled Wednesday.
  • Schaumburg Township District Library is closed Wednesday and will reopen at 1 p.m. Thursday. This will affect all three locations Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park. 
  • Secretary of State's Driver's Services Facilities and Offices will be closed Wednesday. 
  • Circuit Court of cook County will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
  • Lou Malnati's announced all Chicagoland locations will closed at 9 p.m. Tuesday "for the safety of our staff." Delivery orders must be placed by 8 pm. 
  • Lake Geneva's popular ice castles are closing to the public Wednesday for "the health and safety of our guests and our staff." Ticket holders can receive a refund or reschedule their visit. 
  • The Blackhawks store in Chicago will be closed Wednesday.
  • Giordano's Pizza plans to close all Chicagoland locations Wednesday.
  • All Park District classes in Chicago are canceled due to weather. Large parks will be offering heating centers for emergency situations and for homeless citizens, however. 
  • Chicago Early Voting, currently located at 175 W. Washington St., will be closed Wednesday. The board will evaluate whether it will reopen the site on Thursday or Friday. 
  • Navy Pier will be closed Wednesday due to weather.
  • The Cook County Treasurer's Office will closed Wednesday and reopen Thursday.
  • Disney on Ice Mickey's Search Party performance was canceled at the United Center for its 7 p.m. Wednesday showing. Customers will be given refunds if they purchased tickets from Ticketmaster or the United Center Box Office. 
  • Museum of Science and Industry announces it will remain closed Thursday due to cold.
  • Early Voting at 175 W Washington will be closed again due to the extreme cold on Thu., Jan. 31.
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