Chicago's 1995 Heat Wave Legacy | Chicago News

Chicago’s 1995 heat wave, which killed over 700 people in just five days, remains a haunting reminder of what happens when a city fails to respond to extreme weather. With temperatures soaring past 100 degrees and many victims trapped in locked homes, the crisis was worsened by officials on vacation and a lack of coordination. Though Chicago has weathered hotter summers before — including the record-breaking 1955 heat — the 1995 disaster stands out for its scale and the systemic failures that followed. Now, with new emergency protocols and a dedicated Office of Emergency Management, the city is better prepared — but the lessons still echo: protecting the most vulnerable is non-negotiable. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2cb470b058f46b8e