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Extreme Heat Throughout the Week Can Be Very Dangerous
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2025
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
Extreme Heat Throughout the Week Can Be Very Dangerous
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Residents to Take Precautions as Extreme Heat Poses Serious Health Risks This Week
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The National Weather Service is forecasting dangerously high temperatures and humidity for central Illinois over the week. Heat index values could reach 105 to 112 degrees, with the most intense heat expected Wednesday and Thursday and continuing into the weekend. Little overnight relief is expected, as temperatures are only expected to fall into the mid-70s. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urges everyone to watch for signs of heat-related illness and take precautions to keep themselves, their families, and the community safe.
Heat-related illness can take many forms, ranging from mild heat exhaustion to the more serious and potentially life-threatening heat stroke. These illnesses occur when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. As the body’s temperature rises rapidly, it loses the ability to cool itself through perspiration. A body temperature of 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes can result in death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness include:
- Body temperature of 103 degrees or higher
- Red, hot, and dry skin with no signs of perspiration
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness or confusion
- Nausea
Never leave children, older adults, or pets in a parked car—even for a few minutes or with the windows partially open. The vehicle’s metal exterior conducts and traps intense heat, causing the interior temperature to rise rapidly. This can lead to brain damage or death in a very short time. Heat-related illnesses are more prevalent among children, adults over 65, and pets due to factors such as difficulty adjusting to temperature changes, retaining more body heat, dehydration from exertion, and limited access to fluids.
Precautions to Avoid Heat-Related Illness
- Stay hydrated. Aim to drink at least 48 to 64 ounces of cool, non-caffeinated, non- alcoholic beverages daily. Caffeine and alcohol act as diuretics and can increase the risk of dehydration. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty–drink regularly throughout the day.
- Limit activity during peak heat. Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day. If outdoor activity is necessary, take frequent breaks in the shade or a cool environment.
- Wear light-colored, lightweight clothing. Breathable fabrics and light colors help your body stay cooler.
- Cool down when overheated. Take a cool shower or sponge bath if you begin to feel too warm.
- Seek air-conditioned spaces. If you feel overly warm, move to an air-conditioned environment. If your home is not air-conditioned, consider visiting a mall, library, grocery store, or other public space to cool off.
Cunningham Township, CUPHD, The Salvation Army of Champaign, and Friend in Me, in collaboration with City of Champaign Township and other partners, are opening a temporary 24-hour emergency shelter from Sunday, July 20, through Saturday, July 26, in response to the extreme heat.
The shelter will serve adults experiencing homelessness who are referred to by Strides Shelter. Eligible individuals must complete an intake at Strides Shelter between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. After intake, they should return for evening check-in between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to be placed on the emergency shelter waitlist.
Strides will provide transportation to The Salvation Army. Please do not drop individuals off at the shelter directly.
The following is a list of additional cooling centers available throughout the local area, courtesy of Champaign County Emergency Management Agency. Please note that some are only available during business hours.
- Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, 201 W. Kenyon Rd., Champaign
- Lincoln Square Mall, 201 Lincoln Square, Urbana
- Market Place Mall, 2000 N. Neil St., Champaign
- Forum Fitness Center, 200 W. Flessner Ave., Rantoul
- Rantoul Police Department, 109 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul
- Champaign Park District, Leonhard Center, 2307 Sangamon Dr., Champaign
- Champaign Park District, Martens Center, 1515 N. Market St., Champaign
- Urbana Park District, Health and Wellness Facility, 2002 E. Washington St., Urbana
- Public buildings, including libraries and municipal, state, and federal buildings, during normal business hours.
CUPHD also maintains a Google map of cooling center locations:
https://bit.ly/keepsafeChampaign
CUPHD is a kid-friendly cooling center open 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Free breakfast and lunch will be provided July 25–August 11 for children 18 and under as part of the summer meals program. Television, free Wi-Fi, and books for kids are also available.
Anyone can suffer heat-related illness, and CUPHD urges everyone to take precautions in the summer heat and check on children, those 65 and over, disabled persons, and pets frequently.
For more information, please visit http://www.champaigncountyema.org/ and https://ready.illinois.gov/hazards/extremetempshot.html.
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Download 2025-07-21-extreme-heat-PR
Also see Public Health Temporary Emergency Shelter Overflow Plan
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Fills the Gap with Summer Meals for Kids
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2025
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Fills the Gap with Summer Meals for Kids
Free Breakfast and Lunch Offered July 25–August 11 While Other Districts Pause Programs
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is once again hosting the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), beginning Friday, July 25. This essential program provides free breakfast and lunch to children throughout the summer when other area school districts are not running similar programs. SFSP is sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and will run through Monday, August 11.
Meals will be served on a first-come, first-served basis to children aged one to 18 in the CUPHD lobby located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign, Monday through Friday. Breakfast is served from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, and lunch is served from 12:45 pm to 2:15 pm. All meals must be eaten on-site, and no sign-up is required to participate.
Meals will be provided without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. There will be no discrimination during the meal service. Individuals can file a program complaint of discrimination by completing the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online and at any USDA office. There is also information on how to file by fax and mail on the site.
“The Summer Food Service Program is a very important program. Many children get most of their nutrient intake from school food service nine months out of the year and it can be a challenge for some families during the summer. We are very pleased to be able to provide this service when school is out,” according to Brandon Meline, director of Maternal and Child Health.
Adds Administrator Julie Pryde, “Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is proud to serve as a site for the Summer Food Service Program. This year marks our 16th year as a site for this very important service. We encourage families with children to take advantage of this program and use our building to avoid summer’s heat. In addition to the breakfast and lunch, we also have free books, free Wi-Fi, cold air conditioning, and Disney+ on the lobby TV.”
For more information on SFSP, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunmeals.
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CUPHD Accepting Period Supply Donations to Support Local Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2025
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
CUPHD Accepting Period Supply Donations to Support Local Community
May 28 is World Menstrual Hygiene Day
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is continuing its ongoing campaign to collect a variety of period products for distribution to menstruating individuals across Champaign County. The next collection drive will launch on May 5, 2025. This initiative has supported those in our community who struggle to access essential period supplies. Last year, CUPHD distributed 10,881 individual period products to help address the needs of those facing period poverty.
According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, two in five people who menstruate in the U.S. have struggled to afford period products due to financial hardship. Additionally, one in four students who menstruate have been unable to afford the supplies they need.
Period products are a vital component of personal healthcare, and the goal with this campaign is to raise awareness about the very real impact of period poverty. By coming together as a community to ensure a wide variety of products are available, we can help alleviate unnecessary stress and improve the well-being of individuals who menstruate.
To make donating easy and accessible, CUPHD has curated an Amazon Wish List for virtual donations. Items purchased from the list will be shipped directly to CUPHD for distribution to clients and community members. In-person donations will also be accepted at CUPHD during the week of May 26–30. A donation drop box will be in the lobby for your convenience.
Ways to donate:
- Online: Amazon Wish List
- In-person: May 26–30 at 201 W. Kenyon Rd., Champaign.
- Drop box located in the main lobby.
- Lobby hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Join us in recognizing Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28 by helping ensure period products are accessible to all in our community.
For more information on period poverty, visit https://allianceforperiodsupplies.org/period- poverty/.
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