CBS Chicago Vault: Record heat wave in July 1995 turns deadly

Thirty years ago this week, temperatures in Chicago hit an all-time record of 106 degrees in a heat wave that ended up being to blame for 739 deaths. This is Channel 2 News coverage of the chain of events from Thursday, July 13, through Sunday, July 16 — first documenting what just seemed like a super-hot day, but later chronicling a crisis involving water shortages in the suburbs, a multi-day power outage in the Wrigleyville area, and finally, a staggering number of deaths being attributed to the heat.

• Jul 14, 2025

ComEd launches $10 million customer relief fund amid rising costs

ComEd is launching a $10 million customer relief fund for lower-income customers having trouble paying for electricity as prices rise.

• Jul 7, 2025

ComEd launches customer relief fund

ComEd is launching a $10 million customer relief fund for lower-income customers having trouble paying for electricity as prices rise. Asal Rezaei reports.

• Jul 7, 2025

ComEd launches $10 million customer relief fund as electricity prices rise

ComEd is launching a $10 million customer relief fund for lower-income customers having trouble paying for electricity as prices rise.

• Jul 7, 2025

ComEd price hike could hit June 1

Your ComEd electricity bills could increase on June 1.

• May 19, 2025

ComEd price hike coming June 1

The Citizens Utility Board said ComEd is not to blame for the spike, The watchdog group blames the regional grid operator, PJM, for what it calls “years of bad policy.”

• May 19, 2025

ComEd price hike could hit June 1

Your ComEd electricity bills could increase on June 1.

• May 19, 2025

Buckingham Fountain to be switched on for first time this season

ComEd chose one lucky person to flip the switch. The event, hosted by ComEd and the Chicago Park District, starts at 11:30 a.m.

• May 10, 2025

300 girls attend Pink Hard Hat construction conference

The three-day workshop was organized by Polished Pebbles, a mentoring initiative that has been helping girls across the Chicago area for 15 years.

• May 7, 2025

Icy conditions in Chicago area spark concerns about power outages

ComEd said it does not anticipate any power outages early on Wednesday night, but some could pop up overnight or in the morning. Marissa Sulek reports from Woodridge.

• Feb 5, 2025

Chicago historian Shermann Dilla Thomas set to premiere new YouTube show

Dilla was laid off from ComEd in September. But later this month, he plans to premiere his new show on YouTube, called "You Don't Know Chi."

• Nov 21, 2024

Chicago historian Shermann Dilla Thomas to launch new YouTube show

In his enormously popular videos, Shermann Dilla Thomas celebrates the good in Chicago while documenting the city’s history. He was recently laid off from his job at ComEd to the shocka and disappointment of many. But later this month, he plans to premiere his new show on YouTube, called “You Don’t Know Chi.” Dilla joins Jim Williams and Marie Saavedra to talk about it all.

• Nov 21, 2024

Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan loses bid to dismiss bribery charges

The ruling comes less than a week before Madigan is set to face trial in federal court in Chicago.

• Oct 2, 2024

ComEd workers head to South Carolina to assist with post-Helene power restoration efforts

ComEd said it could take several days to turn the electricity back on for everyone affected by the hurricane.

• Sep 28, 2024

"ComEd Four" seek acquittal in Madigan case; call prosecution "fatally flawed"

Four former ComEd executives and lobbyists convicted of conspiring to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are asking a federal judge to dismiss all charges against them, arguing the case was built "on a rotten foundation."

• Aug 28, 2024

Northern suburbs cleaning up storm damage

People in the northern suburbs were picking up the pieces Wednesday morning, after strong storms came through Tuesday night, knocking down trees and taking down power lines.

• Aug 28, 2024

ComEd electrical vault fire prompts hazmat response in Chicago's West Loop

The cause of the fire was undetermined and firefighters were attempting to restore power back to dozens of affected customers.

• Aug 14, 2024

Some residents of Calumet Heights have power back, but some don't, after severe storms

In one resident's backyard, crews were working for hours.

• Jul 17, 2024

Portions of I-55 still closed after tornadic storm brings power lines down on vehicles

Cleanup has been ongoing at the scene in Channahon for more than 24 hours. But a portion of the mess remained as of Wednesday—with some tanker trucks lying on their sides on top of each other. Darius Johnson reports.

• Jul 17, 2024

Power may not be back for days after storms in Chicago

ComEd has brought in about 300 utility workers from Canada to help them make repairs after two nights of tornadoes. Megan Hickey reports.

• Jul 16, 2024

Many ComEd customers remain without power after storms, tornadoes hit Chicago area

The damage is so severe in some parts of Northern Illinois that they had to import more than 300 utility workers all the way from Canada to help get the job done. Megan Hickey reports.

• Jul 16, 2024

Tornadic storms leave nearly 300,000 ComEd customers without power

ComEd's Lauren Huffman joins Irika Sargent by phone, and urges customers to report outages or downed power lines.

• Jul 15, 2024

Feds to call former Ald. Danny Solis as witness in Michael Madigan corruption trial

Federal proseuctors said former Ald. Danny Solis will provide "devastating evidence" at the racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

• Mar 18, 2024

Sentencing for defendants convicted in "ComEd 4" bribery trial delayed

Last year, a jury convicted four former ComEd officials and associates of conspiring to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

• Feb 29, 2024

Sentencing for defendants convicted in "ComEd 4" bribery trial delayed

The sentencing hearings for the four people convicted in last year's ComEd bribery trial​ were delayed. Last year, a jury convicted former ComEd lobbyist Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, retired ComEd vice president John Hooker and former ComEd consultant Jay Doherty of conspiring to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan​ to arrange no-work contracts and high-paying jobs to his allies in exchange for favorable treatment.

• Feb 29, 2024

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