Dear Friends,

Summer is coming in hot! With high temps expected this week, be sure to keep yourself, your neighbors and your pets safe. Visit https://keepcool.illinois.gov/cooling-centers.html to find cooling centers near you.

I urge everyone to take advantage of the numerous cooling centers set up around the city. You can find the centers here. If you see someone suffering from heatstroke, call 9-1-1 immediately and then try to move the person into a cool place and cool the person with water. Water fountains are available at Chicago Public Library locations.

Well-being Checks

City resources and plans are more impactful with the support of every Chicagoan. We all should make a special effort to check on friends and neighbors during heat waves, especially older adults, young children, and residents with special needs. If you are unable to make contact, you can request a well-being check by downloading the CHI311 app, visiting 311.chicago.gov, or calling 3-1-1.

Public Health Guidance

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. A heatstroke is more serious and occurs when the body starts to lose its ability to regulate itself. The telltale signs of a heatstroke are:

• An extremely high body temperature, such as 103 degrees or above
• Dizziness and nausea
• A throbbing headache and a pulse that is rapid and strong
• Skin that is red, hot and dry

Some populations are at a higher risk in cases of extreme heat and should take extra precautions to protect themselves from heat, monitor their wellbeing, and access city cooling services. This includes people who:

• Are pregnant
• Live alone
• Work outside
• Are elderly
• Have young children

If you see someone suffering from heatstroke, call 9-1-1 immediately and then try to move the person into a cool place and cool the person with water. Water fountains are available at Chicago Public Library locations.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have questions or would like to voice your opinion about legislative or budget issues. I would like to reiterate that our office is here to help. We are a non-judgment, welcoming place where 7th district residents are encouraged to contact us to request constituent services.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 773-769-1717 if we can help you with anything.

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District