As temperatures in the Chicago area hover close to 100 degrees, residents without air conditioning are finding it difficult to cope. The intense heat is making daily life unbearable for many.
In a sweltering second-floor apartment in Cicero, Silas Ratliff relies on a freezer for relief. “Usually get a water bottle or something, once it’s frozen. Just rub it on, try to get through,” Ratliff said. With only a singular fan and a cross breeze for air circulation, he struggles to stay cool. “For the most part, that’s about the most you can get as far as air circulation,” Ratliff added.
The hum of an air conditioning unit is a pricey luxury that Ratliff and many others simply cannot afford. Even the sweltering breeze on an overpass bench offers some relief for Bryant, another resident living without air conditioning. “It feels a lot better here than it does in my apartment right now,” Bryant said.
Record-Setting Heat
Temperatures have soared into the 90s, with the heat index making it feel like over 100 degrees in some areas. On Monday, temperatures reached 97 degrees at O’Hare, breaking the 1887 record of 96 degrees.
The extreme heat is taking a toll on infrastructure, causing cooling mechanisms and even CTA trains to malfunction. “We get a lot of cars with air conditioning problems and things like that,” said auto mechanic Hector Figueroa. Cars in need of cooling repairs have filled the lot of a Berwyn mechanic shop, making an already laborious job even more taxing. “It will be good for the guys to cool off and go home early,” Figueroa noted.
Coping Strategies and Community Resources
Residents are piecing together any possible reprieve to survive the long, hot week. “Put some water on there, let it run and then, like throughout the day I do this, wipe my face, the back of my neck,” Ratliff shared.
In response to the heat wave, Chicago Park District beaches and pools have opened earlier than usual. This summer tradition had been on hold for repairs over the last four years but reopened just in time for the heat wave. “I’m so glad it is back. Thank you, city of Chicago!” said resident Millie Alvarado. The Smith Pool on the West Side is also drawing large crowds.
Health Precautions
Doctors advise those who have to be outside and cannot cool off in a pool to be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion, which include feeling lethargic, dizzy, or extremely thirsty. Ignoring these signs could lead to heat stroke. “Fluids, fluids, fluids. Super important and I would advise against caffeinated or alcoholic beverages as much as possible because they can dehydrate you,” recommended Dr. Kush Desai of Rush Family Medicine.
Stay Informed and Safe
Chicagoans are urged to stay informed about the latest weather updates and take necessary precautions to stay safe during this extreme heat wave.