Ninth cold-weather death reported as Chicago shelters strain

An 86-year-old woman died from cold-related causes this week, marking the ninth such death in Chicago this winter as the city’s shelter system struggles to accommodate growing demand.

The woman’s death was confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, though officials have not released her name or specific location where she was found. The death comes as Chicago has experienced several stretches of sub-zero temperatures and dangerous wind chills this season.

City officials said all warming centers and overnight shelters remain open, but advocates report capacity issues at several South Side and West Side locations. The Department of Family and Support Services operates 12 overnight shelters with roughly 1,400 beds, but demand often exceeds availability during the coldest nights.

“We’re seeing people turned away when temperatures drop below zero,” said Jennifer Martinez, director of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. “The math doesn’t work when you have more people seeking shelter than beds available.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration has opened additional warming centers at city libraries and community centers during extreme weather events. The city also runs mobile outreach teams that distribute blankets, hot meals and transportation to shelters.

Of the nine cold-related deaths this winter, six involved individuals over age 60. Three deaths occurred in the Loop and Near West Side areas, according to preliminary data from the medical examiner.

The city defines cold-related deaths as those caused by hypothermia or other conditions directly linked to exposure to freezing temperatures. Last winter, Chicago recorded 13 such deaths, down from 21 the previous year.

Advocates have called for the city to automatically open additional emergency shelter space when temperatures fall below 15 degrees, rather than making case-by-case decisions. Johnson has not committed to such a policy but said his administration is reviewing shelter protocols.

Anyone needing shelter can call the city’s 24-hour helpline at 311 or visit warming centers at Chicago Public Library branches during business hours. The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities also operate emergency shelters throughout the city.