AUSTIN — City officials gathered on Tuesday to honor the memory of over 700 Chicagoans who lost their lives during the devastating heat wave of 1995.
The event took place in Columbus Park, located at 500 S. Central Ave. in Austin, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of this tragic incident, which lasted from July 12 to July 16, 1995.
During this five-day period, a staggering 739 individuals died from heat-related causes, marking it as the most severe natural disaster in Illinois history.
Many victims were elderly residents from the impoverished communities on Chicago’s South and West sides.
Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed attendees, stating, “The pain from this tragedy is still felt today, especially here on the West Side and throughout many neighborhoods and communities on the South Side.”
He emphasized that environmental crises extend beyond mere weather events; they also encompass critical issues of equity, access, and justice.
As part of the commemorative event, a segment from the documentary “Cooked: Survival by Zip Code” was screened, providing insight into the struggles faced during the heat wave.
Produced by the renowned Humboldt Park studio Kartemquin Films, the documentary features personal testimonies and archival footage depicting the grim realities of that time.
Family members of individuals who perished reflect on a city ill-prepared for such an overwhelming death toll.
In stark contrast to today’s climate, the Cook County Medical Examiners’ Office had to utilize more than five refrigerated trucks to accommodate the bodies from an overflowing morgue.
Johnson pointed out that many of the deceased lacked access to central air conditioning, a significant concern that still resonates today.
As climate change continues to pose threats to Chicago, city officials and various organizations are striving to ensure that neighborhoods are equipped to handle climate-driven disasters like heat waves and flooding.
Currently, only 30 percent of single-family homes in Chicago are equipped with central air conditioning, a stark contrast to the national average of 76 percent, according to Johnson and a recent Tribune analysis.
Cheryl Watson, a member of the Defusing Disasters Working Group — a coalition focusing on weather-related preparedness — shared her personal experience of losing her mother to heat-related illness.
Watson, who resides in her childhood home, expressed the difficulties of maintaining comfortable living conditions amid climate challenges such as flooding and heat waves.
“With the age of the homes in a lot of our communities that are vulnerable, you can’t really retrofit them enough for them to be comfortable,” Watson explained.
“They don’t have the infrastructure to have central air … that’s a burden to most people.”
In response to the heat crisis since 1995, the city has undertaken several initiatives including the expansion of the tree canopy, designed to offer shade and mitigate extreme heat and flooding.
Many neighborhoods on the South and West sides currently suffer from inadequate tree cover, with some areas hosting less than 5 percent tree canopy coverage.
Conversely, neighborhoods like Forest Glen and Beverly boast over 13,000 trees and canopy coverage nearing 50 percent.
Through the Our Roots Chicago program, the city has planted over 64,000 trees in regions lacking sufficient tree coverage.
“Here in Austin, we are investing in our communities by planting trees that will turn the tide for justice. It will also provide long-term climate and health benefits,” stated Johnson.
The Defusing Disasters initiative is also developing a Heat Vulnerability Index, a tool aimed at identifying neighborhoods most vulnerable to extreme heat.
This index will enable policymakers to systematically target interventions in areas most impacted by heat.
Furthermore, the group has launched a survey to gather public input on heat-related policy priorities, which will remain open until the end of summer.
In a touching tribute, Mayor Johnson also honored Emilio Aguirre, a World War II veteran and former prisoner of war, who died during the 1995 heat wave.
Aguirre, whose passing left him buried in an unmarked grave, will receive full military honors and a proper headstone at a ceremony on Thursday, the actual 30-year anniversary of his death, at 11 a.m. at Homewood Memorial Gardens, located at 600 Ridge Road in Homewood.
This ceremony will be open to the public.
image source from：blockclubchicago
