12/07/2023
Saturday is going to have a low of 32 degrees and it will be raining!
The weather this week has been very nice during the day, but can be miserable at night for those who have no shelter. We are entering the season of dangerously cold weather. With the help of the McLean County Emergency Management Agency and other organizations, we have a list of resources available to those who need shelter or a warming center in McLean County.
Warming Center - A short term emergency location where people can get out of dangerous temperatures to prevent injury or loss of life. Typically, a stopping point until the people can move on, or to, a more appropriate facility. No food or sleeping accommodations are provided. Some warming centers are 24 hour businesses where people can stop in.
Shelter - Severe weather shelters are emergency locations where people can get out of dangerous temperatures to prevent injury or loss of life. Shelters provide food and (typically) places to sleep. These are longer term than warming centers. Stranded travelers, the homeless population, and families that have lost heat or electricity are the population that shelters are established to assist.
GIS Map of warming centers/shelters: https://arcg.is/1S8eWC0
Bloomington:
• Bloomington Public Library, 205 E. Olive St., 309-828-6091 (M-Th 9 am -9 pm, F & S 9 am - 5 pm, Su 1 - 5 pm)
• Connect Transit Bus - parking lot of the McLean Co Health Dept, 200 W. Front St., Bloomington, availability determined on a case by case basis, depending on available resources
• Walmart, 2225 W. Market St. 309-828-5646, 7:00 am - 11:00 pm
• Salvation Army Café, 208 N. Oak St., 9pm -7 am, open for individuals that are not banned from the property or from receiving services – no sleeping facilities. Still need to obtain clearance card and complete intake.
Arrowsmith:
• Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief to assist you.
Normal:
• Meijer, 1900 E. College Ave, 6 am - midnight
• Normal Public Library, 206 W. College Ave, (Current hours are: Su 1 pm-5 pm, M-Th 9 am - 8 pm, F/Sa 9 am - 5 pm)
• Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Circle, First Floor (Amtrak and bus area) open daily and closes with the last train at 9 pm
Bellflower:
• Bellflower Community Center cafeteria, 104 W. Center St., enter the NE double doors.
Chenoa:
• Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the EMA director to assist you.
Cooksville:
• Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief or village president to assist you.
Downs:
• Downs Fire Dept, 102 W Main St., Downs - open 24 hours Call 309-378-2021 to make sure it is staffed.
Heyworth:
• Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief to assist you.
Hudson:
• Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief to assist you.
LeRoy:
• Loves Travel, 505 S. Persimmon Dr., 24 hours
• Additional place will be available if requested, stop by or call the LeRoy Police Department, 110 S. East St., 309-962-3310
Lexington:
• Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, they will contact Lexington police, fire, or EMA.
McLean:
• Road Ranger Truck Stop, 315 E. Dixie Rd- open 24 hours
Saybrook:
• Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief to assist you.
Stanford:
• Call the METCOM non-emergency number 309-888-5030 and they will contact the fire chief for assistance.
Homeless Shelters:
• Salvation Army Safe Harbor, 208 N Oak St, Bloomington
Shelter is open from 5 pm - 8 am for residents.
Open for people that are residents or day center patrons but are not banned from the property or from receiving services.
• Home Sweet Home Ministries, 303 E. Oakland Ave, Bloomington, Open 24 hrs
The Junction at Home Sweet Home Ministries (located at 301 E Oakland Ave - the old Mission Mart) is open Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm and welcomes anyone from the community in need of a place to warm up.
• Project Oz - serves homeless youth ages 17-23, call PATH at 309-827-4005 and ask them to page Project Oz on-call staff
