Winter at Evergreen Tower on Chicago’s Near North Side has felt less like senior housing and more like a walk-in freezer, according to residents. They say they have spent months without reliable heat, leaning on portable space heaters and even their ovens to stay warm. Some tenants describe waking up with hands so cold they feel icy, and say their electric bills have climbed as they try to make up for failing building systems.
As reported by ABC7 Chicago, 79-year-old Patricia Jordan said she has relied on portable heaters and her oven to stay warm since November, and that many units have “low heat or none at all.” Another resident, Elnora Danchimah, told the station a repair worker said the issue was “beyond what I can do” and that additional work would be scheduled. ABC7 Chicago also reported that messages to the property manager were not immediately returned.
Cold weather makes repairs more urgent
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory through 8 a.m. Wednesday, turning tenant complaints into a more urgent safety concern, according to the National Weather Service. Health experts say prolonged indoor cold increases risks such as hypothermia and falls among older adults.
What the building is and what the rules say
Evergreen Tower is listed by its manager as a senior housing community with multiple units and on-site services, according to the building listing on UPHoldings. Chicago’s municipal code sets minimum indoor temperatures during the heating season, and tenant-rights groups outline practical steps, including filing a 311 complaint or contacting the city heat hotline, when landlords fail to provide adequate heat. The Metropolitan Tenants Organization walks renters through those options.
Residents point to a pattern
Tenants say the current breakdown feels familiar. Past organizing around services and security at the River North complex has left some residents skeptical that management will act quickly. Earlier coverage in the Chicago Sun-Times documented coordinated 311 filings and calls for a dedicated service coordinator at the properties. Longtime residents say that history makes today’s promises of repairs feel incomplete without clear timelines.
Health and safety risks of makeshift heating
Fire-prevention authorities warn that using ovens or other unvented fuel-burning appliances to heat living spaces can create serious carbon monoxide and fire risks, and they urge working smoke and CO alarms in every unit, according to AFD. Local safety resources explicitly advise never using a gas oven or stove to heat a home and recommend careful, safe use of approved space heaters. For unresolved heat problems, tenants are encouraged to call 311 so the city can inspect and document the issue.
Residents say they want firm repair schedules and relief from mounting costs, and tenant advocates say the city should be prepared to enforce standards if management does not act. As ABC7 Chicago reported, seniors in the building are still waiting for fixes while frigid temperatures move through the region.
