CHICAGO – As the city bakes under another summer heat wave, temperatures soared to 94°F on Wednesday with a heat index peaking at 105°F, according to the National Weather Service.
An extreme heat warning remains in effect through Thursday evening, with forecasters predicting continued high temps and more storms rolling in during the afternoon and evening hours.
Volunteers Step Up With Water, Support in Auburn Gresham
In the South Side neighborhood of Auburn Gresham, more than 20 volunteers gathered outside St. Sabina Catholic Church at 79th and Racine to hand out over 1,200 bottles of water donated by stores and residents.
“For some people, water is a luxury,” said Rev. Michael Pfleger, who helped organize the effort and was seen personally distributing bottles to pedestrians, drivers, and bus riders stuck at red lights.
The gesture brought relief to residents like Lynette Amos, 75, who said, “It’s a blessing … I’m thankful to Father Pfleger for coming out for low-income folks and Blacks.”
Hydration, Shelter Key to Avoiding Heat Illness
Health officials stressed the importance of staying cool and hydrated. Brett Borchardt, senior meteorologist at NWS Romeoville, urged residents to drink water frequently — “even if you’re not thirsty” — and avoid sun exposure when possible.
The agency also reminded residents of 1995’s deadly heat wave, which claimed 739 lives in Chicago. “It wasn’t just extreme heat,” Pfleger said. “It was because we didn’t look after each other.”
Nighttime Heat Adds to Danger
The heat index remained above 80°F even after sunset Wednesday across Downtown and the Loop, offering little overnight relief. “The worst part about heat is these lingering effects,” warned NWS meteorologist David King, noting that Thursday’s temperatures could spike early again after sunrise.
Families Cool Off Across the City
On the North Side, Chanica Davis and her four children sought relief at the splash pad in Indian Boundary Park in Rogers Park. “The heat is on,” she told her daughter, while cooling off with ice pops bought from a local vendor.
Downtown, kids splashed in the Crown Fountain at Millennium Park, turning iconic city landmarks into makeshift cooling stations during the oppressive heat.
How are you coping with the heat wave in your neighborhood? Share your tips, photos, or cooling center updates on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
