Cook County records 13th heat death of 2026, more than doubling previous decade high

Cook County has recorded its 13th heat death of the year, now more than doubling the highest counts of the last decade, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

The 69-year-old Chatham man died July 2 of cardiovascular disease, ethanol poisoning and heat exposure

A WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times analysis of medical examiner data previously found Cook County has had more deaths related to the heat in 2026 than any other year in the last decade, and the number continues to go up. Heat deaths previously peaked in Cook County in 2019 and 2022 when there were six deaths each.

Ten of the 13 have been Chicago residents, and all but one — which was in the East Side neighborhood — have been on the South and West sides.

The first heat-related death this year occurred July 1, and most others followed throughout the month as the area saw several waves of severe heat.

Earlier this month, Otto Kedzior, 64, died of cardiovascular disease complications and heat stress in the 1000 block of South Wood Street, authorities said.

Others whose deaths have at least in part been attributed to the heat this year include Otto Kedzior, 64; Claremont Little, 94; Joseph Huff, 65; Robert Feldon, 77; Stephanie Rodriguez, 45; David Gonzalez, 44; Barbara Whigham, 71; Mike Rodriguez, 57; Daniel Machnikowski, 69; Victor Ferguson, 48; and David P. Sopys, 46.

While the majority of the deaths have been older residents, younger people have been among the grim count.

Jesus Rodriguez died July 17 due to hyperthermia and environmental heat exposure, in addition to cocaine toxicity, according to the medical examiner’s office. The 33-year-old is the youngest of the more than dozen deaths tied to the heat this year.