Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― The Chicago area is in the grip of an uncomfortable cold blast and with a dangerously cold night ahead, the city is reminding everyone to take precautions and layer up, while also keeping an eye out for people who may be at risk.

Because of the brutal wind chills, the National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory for much of northern Illinois and parts of northwestern Indiana until 12 a.m. Monday. The warning is a necessary one, as frost bite and hypothermia can set in within minutes when it's this cold. People forced to be outside for long periods of time are most at risk.

Firefighters have to be careful as water freezes beneath their feet, making their job even more dangerous. For valets working in the West Loop, a running car provides a welcome break from standing in the cold.

"Sitting in the car as much as we can, keep the heater on as much as we can," said valet Corey Miller.

"We go inside a lot, we have to "go to the bathroom" a lot," said valet Josh McCann.

Much of Lake Michigan froze again overnight and many people had to find shelter from the brutal cold.

Pastor Phil Kwiatkowski, of Pacific Garden Mission, said, "With the cold and the snow, we've seen a tremendous amount of individuals that have come. People that normally maybe would not seek shelter on nights like tonight are seeking shelter, so they're coming. We've seen a lot of people."

About 900 people sought shelter at Pacific Gardens Mission on South Canal Street, where they found a hot meal and a warm bed to spend the night.

Kwiatkowski said for Chicago's homeless population, this kind of weather is a matter of life or death.

To keep everyone safe, the city has warming centers, including the one at 10 S. Kedzie, where 115 people are staying warm. There are also 700 beds available for anyone who needs one.

"We've contacted many of our seniors, people with disabilities who may need assistance in extreme weather," said OEMC executive director Tony Ruiz.

The Department of Human Services has conducted 46 well-being checks and is asking citizens to call 311, if they see someone sleeping on the street, so they can arrange for transportation to a shelter.

"There are people who are chronically homeless who do not want to come off the street," said Chicago Department of Human Services Commissioner Sheryl McGill. "For the homeless individuals, that is a particular concern for DHS, we don't know where everyone is camping."

Some Chicago residents said we should be used to this; after all, frigid weather is one of the things Chicago is known for.

Chicagoan Cindy Seiaky said, "Honestly, it's like the old Chicago winters I remember when I was a kid. For the last ten years, we've had no snow and all of a sudden everybody is all upset about snow."

Temperatures will slowly get better in the next few days with a high of about 16 degrees on Monday, 22 degrees on Tuesday, 31 degrees on Wednesday and 34 degrees on Thursday. But snow will develop during the afternoon Monday and continue through Monday night. Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches can be expected by the time the snow tapers off Tuesday morning.

The changing temperatures have been making Chicago's pothole problem even worse.

The Chicago Department of Transportation has been out in force trying to repair as many as the potholes as possible.

So far this year, the city has received about 6,300 complaints about potholes throughout Chicago. At this time last year, only 150 complaints were filed.

The city is also reminding tenants that under an ordinance, you have a right to be warm. Your apartment must be 68 degrees during the day and 66 degrees at night or your landlord can face fines of up to $500.

For warming center information, transportation or if you do not have heat, call the city at 311.

CBS 2's Katie McCall, Rafael Romo and Mary Kay Kleist contributed to this report.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Editor's Picks

• Gay Celebrities
• Did You Know? Stars From Chicago!
• Celebs Who Lean To The Right
• Real Or Fake?