ABC7 Chicago AccuWeather Meteorologist Tracy Butler said high temperatures will be in the mid-90s across the area, with heat index values from 102-108 degrees.
An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for all parts of Cook County through 10 p.m. Tuesday.
An Excessive Heat Watch and a Heat Advisory is in effect for Boone, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Lake (IL), Livingston, McHenry, Will, Jasper, Lake (IN), Newton and Porter counties through 10 p.m. Tuesday.
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Chicago residents can call 311 or click here for the latest information on cooling centers and to request well-being-checks, officials said.
Ottawa Township High School said students would be dismissed at 12:20 p.m. after being served lunch due to the heat on Monday and Tuesday.
Lyons Township High School District #204 sent an email to parents and guardians on Monday, saying students will have an early dismissal schedule of 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday due to the extreme heat.
Banneker Elementary at Marquette students in Gary were dismissed at 1 p.m., due to malfunctioning air conditioning. All middle school athletics are also canceled Monday and Tuesday.
Tuesday's middle school football game in Griffith was also canceled. All high school athletic teams have been instructed to practice indoors, Gary school officials said.
The Paws on the Plaza event was canceled due to the heat. The free event was going to feature treats and also have adoptable pets at the Langham Chicago.
Air Quality Alerts are also in effect until midnight.
There is a small chance of storms late Monday night and early Tuesday morning. The Chicago area has a Level 1 risk of severe storms.
Butler said Tuesday will likely be even hotter than Monday, with heat index values in the 105 to 115 range.
There is a possibility of isolated storms Tuesday afternoon and evening.
The Chicago area is under a Level 2 risk of severe weather, with a main threat of wind.
The first day was a hot one for Chicago Public Schools students.
"Most definitely, they have their waters. They have their snacks and everything in their lunch boxes and everything, yes, so they're ready," said CPS parent Alethia Jefferson.
"We have a great engineer at this school, so if one goes out, we'll go ahead and move the mobile unit in, so we already have those on deck," said Chalmers Elementary School Principal Roman Crockett..
"I made sure to bring his water, his shorts. So, hopefully he has a good (day)," CPS parent Jacqueline Acevedo said.
CPS kept play indoors Monday, and had plans in place in case kids and schools needed more cooling.
"We have plenty of backups. So, if any of our systems go out, we are ready to replace them. Our engineers are ready," CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said.
Marcus Petty has a third-grade CPS student.
"I told her to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water if she goes out in the playground," he said.
Teams with the Department of Family and Support Services were out early to offer shelter and supplies to the unhoused.
"We do offer water, and we have a food truck that comes by every day, just keeping people cool," said Beatriz Gomez, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services district manager.
On the sweltering South Side, fans arrived for the White Sox game with fluids in hand.
The temperature at first pitch were in the low 90s.
"It's a little too hot. Ten degrees cooler would be perfect for me, but it's still better than winter," said fan Jack Brunette.
Earlier, the heat index was in the triple digits as downtown commuters shuffled down sizzling sidewalks.
"It is definitely a scorcher out here, though. Real humid. Real hot. It's just kind of a slog getting home," said Andrew Nitz.
"Very humid. I would describe it similar to Florida," said another person walking downtown.
One week before the city's beaches officially close for the season on Labor Day, the lakefront offered relief. The wind hit Buckingham Fountain just right to give some a little respite.
"The water felt very refreshing first thing in the morning, and, take a dip, and, kind of sets the tone for the rest of the day," said Ricky Liontonia, a server at Reggie's on the Beach. "You have to stay hydrated. You have to jump in from time to time. Because that's how you're gonna keep cool, especially when you're making all those frozen drinks."
Some retired teachers celebrate the first day of school at 63rd Street Beach every year.
"We knew it would be hot, but it's usually about 10 degrees cooler on the beach, and we knew Reggie's had canopies," Oreitha Benion said. "It's good right now, and we feel the wind. And you're not at school. And we're not at school."
Some visiting Chicago said they are pacing themselves and prioritizing.
"It's hot; it's not as hot as Dallas gets, but, you know, it's still pretty warm with the sun just hitting you all day. So, you have to walk where the shade's at," Texas tourist Ralph Nicol said.
Tracy Brooks was visiting from Indiana.
"It's warmer than I think; it's a little hard to breathe," she said.
The situation is similar in the suburbs.
Suburban schools make adjustments in heat
It was a bright sunny late summer day, but the driving range in Arlington heights was empty. There was a lone soccer player practicing on the field, and a spare runner or two out braving the heat.
And, at most schools, they were playing it safe. Recess was indoors at Barrington's Roslyn Road Elementary School Monday.
"Today's a bit of a disappointment. We have to do what's necessary to keep our kids safe at school, and the weather sometimes gets in the way of that," Roslyn Road Principal Paul Kirk said.
That means physical education class also moved indoors, both at the middle school and at Barrington High School, where they sat in the air-conditioned gym instead of running outside. They have also canceled or moved indoors many of the after-school sports. It was a difficult decision, considering it's the start of the season for most fall sports.
"Also an understanding we're doing what's best for the kids, understanding we're trying to provide a safe environment to compete and participate at their level," Barrington Athletic Director Ryan Rubenstein said.
They use a sophisticated wet-bulb thermometer to measure the temperature, humidity and wind, before determining whether to practice outside.
"We're doing what's best for kids and just trying to provide, you know, a safe environment for them to be able to participate," Rubenstein said.
They follow Illinois High School Association and conference guidelines for all extracurricular sports, including soccer.
"I think your average midfielder at high school level is running 5-6 miles in a game. So, fluid loss, cramping is an issue," Barrington soccer coach Scott Steib said.
Doctors say heat is the leading cause of environmental-related death in the U.S.
"If you're outside and you're working out, you need to stop immediately if you start to feel dizziness, nausea or are thirsty," said Dr. Daniel Reaven, with Endeavor Health E.D.
Suburban schools are already planning on having to reschedule a lot of events Tuesday, including the first soccer game of the season.
Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications has released the following information about cooling centers.
Cooling Centers Open on Monday, August 26 - Wednesday, August 28
The City of Chicago's cooling areas located at the city's six community service centers operated by the Department of Family and Support Services will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note: the Garfield Service Center at 10 South Kedzie from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for cooling and 24/7 for those needing shelter placement.
Additional Cooling Options Available Citywide
Chicago Park District facilities, Chicago Public Libraries, City Colleges of Chicago and Police Department District stations are also available for relief from the heat and humidity. Chicago Police Department district stations are available 24 hours for relief from the heat and to be connected with shelter.
City Colleges of Chicago Cooling Locations:
- Daley: Monday-Friday 8 am - 8 pm, Saturday 9 am - 3 pm, Closed Sunday
- Harold Washington: Monday-Friday 8 am - 8 pm - Saturday, 8 am - 4 pm, Closed Sunday
- Kennedy-King: Monday-Friday, 8 am - 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am - 4 pm
- Malcolm X: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Closed Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25
- Olive-Harvey: Monday-Friday 9 am - 8 pm, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm, Closed Sunday
- Truman: Monday - Friday 8 am - 9 pm, Saturday 8 am - 9 pm, Closed Sunday
- Wright: Monday- Friday 8 am - 7 pm, Saturday 8 am - 2 pm, Closed Sunday