CHICAGO — As temperatures surge across the city, Weiss Memorial Hospital in Uptown has become the center of an emergency response — not because of incoming patients, but because the hospital itself needed to evacuate.
The facility’s air conditioning system suffered a catastrophic failure, forcing the hospital to transfer elderly patients, some between 80 and 100 years old, to safer environments. According to hospital officials, the outage is expected to last for several days, with full repairs pending.
Aging Infrastructure Blamed for Collapse
In a statement shared Tuesday, hospital leadership pointed to neglected infrastructure left behind by previous owners, Pipeline Health, who sold the facility to Resilience Healthcare in 2022. The extreme heat — expected to hit the 90s through the weekend — quickly overwhelmed Weiss Memorial’s outdated cooling systems.
“Three of our chillers failed. One was restored overnight,” an official said late Tuesday.
ER Patients Diverted, Inpatients Transferred
The hospital confirmed that ambulances are being rerouted and that inpatients have been moved to West Suburban Medical Center to ensure proper care. The emergency room remains open for walk-ins, but the situation has heavily strained Weiss’s capacity to operate under normal conditions.
“We are doing everything we can to keep our patients safe,” said a hospital spokesperson. “This is our top priority.”
Illinois Health Department Investigating
The Illinois Department of Public Health visited the hospital the same day the failure occurred. Though no formal violations have been announced, internal sources told NBC Chicago it was the “worst day,” as staff had to evacuate ER and inpatient areas in extreme heat.
A patient who had been recently discharged described the conditions as “like an oven,” adding, “There was no air. Just wind blowing out of the vent.”
Outpatient Services Still Operational
Hospital officials stated that outpatient clinics and supporting areas remain open, though future operations will depend on how quickly temperatures can be stabilized within the main facility.
A press conference is expected in the coming days to address the failure, accountability concerns, and the timeline for full AC restoration.
Have you or a loved one ever relied on Weiss Memorial for emergency care? What are your thoughts on infrastructure preparedness in Chicago hospitals during heatwaves? Share your story in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
