SE Illinois News

Representative Dave Severin took to Facebook to list cooling centers in Illinois as the heat rises to above the 90s, entering an excessive heat warning.

“If you are in need of further assistance or information, please reach out to my office at 618-440-5090,” Severin wrote on Facebook.

The heat has horrible effects on the elderly. Although excessive heat is bad for anyone, the National Institute of Age from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported the elderly who may be on heart medication could face heat syncope.

The weather's about to heat up, but there are places you can go. Shaw Local reported there will be a record or near-record temperatures through Wednesday, and even afterward, it won't be a lot cooler. Early Saturday, the National Weather Service issued alerts across the Midwest and South.

Starting Monday, temperatures in northern Illinois will rocket into the 90s and could approach 100 degrees on Tuesday. “A large ridge of high pressure will overspread the Central U.S. leading to the hottest weather of the season so far and near-record highs,” warned the National Weather Service (NWS).

Coupled with the humidity, we may be facing a heat index of 105 degrees Monday and Tuesday. Nighttime will bring little relief, with overnight lows near 80 degrees Monday and Tuesday nights.

The NWS reported that heat is deadly for children and pets, especially when the Sun turns the car into an oven.

“The panic and concern in the parent's face is something I don't forget,” said Larry Gillio, owner of Northshore Ace Hardware, said to 4WWL about seeing a mother forget her child in her car.

To locate a local cooling center, visit Illinois’s Keep Cool Illinois webpage.

The summer brings intense heat, harsh sun and cases of skin cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended daily applying sunscreen of 15 SPF or higher. 

“A clean sunscreen is one that is without any agents that can be absorbed into the body, it reduces irritation, and is overall safe to use,” Dr. Kiran Sethi said to Vogue India about buying sunscreens. “Recent data has shown that many sunscreen agents, such as oxybenzone (an endocrine disruptor) may be absorbed into the bloodstream.”

For another list of cooling centers, visit WAND-TV.