Overview

• Hospital management labeled the failure a “catastrophic loss” and blamed years of deferred maintenance on aging cooling equipment
• Staff transferred dozens of patients to West Suburban Medical Center and other area hospitals to shield them from oven-like conditions
• Ambulances are being rerouted even as the emergency department stays open for walk-in patients and outpatient clinics continue operating
• One chiller was brought back online late Tuesday but full system restoration is expected to span several more days before wards can be safely reoccupied
• Heat indices are forecast to top 100°F this weekend, prompting authorities to promote city cooling centers and air-conditioned public facilities for vulnerable residents