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Chicago and the Great Lakes

Great Lakes Now's coverage of the Windy City from kayaking to water shutoffs and more.

Great Lakes Now Featured Articles About Chicago

Carp Catch-22: Could improvements in Chicago waterways invite unwelcome guests?
- by WBEZ

New research suggests pollution from Chicago-area waterways might be creating an invisible barrier, deterring migration. But for how long?

Joliet, Illinois, Plans to Source Its Future Drinking Water From Lake Michigan. Will Other Cities Follow?
- by Inside Climate News

As aquifers dry up, some Midwest communities are looking to the region’s greatest natural resources for a solution.

How do fish survive in large urban waterways, like the Chicago River?
- by Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now

The Chicago River’s hardened shorelines, stormwater pollution events and limited habitat would seem inhospitable to fish. Yet, native species are finding ways to call the city home.

Chicago’s beach season is over … or is it? Lake Michigan temps are breaking records.
- by WBEZ

Lake Michigan’s surface temperature has been above average nearly every day this year so far. All five Great Lakes are heating up.

Chicago reveals climate havens don’t exist — they must be created
- by Mia Litzenberg

Extreme heat and precipitation events are becoming more frequent and intense in Chicago. It’s the city’s preparation efforts that will determine climate resiliency.

South Shore residents are fed up with garbage on their streets
- by WBEZ

The community has more reports of sanitation code violations than any South Side neighborhood.

Chicago teachers demand climate solutions in their next contract
- by Grist

“That contract means nothing if our Earth is on fire.”

Chicago groups spotlight the city’s water “abundance,” focus on innovation, collaboration as key to its future

“Innovation is integral to delivering on all of our water priorities,” says top executive. What about conservation?

In Chicago, one neighborhood is fighting gentrification and climate change at the same time
- by Grist

The secret to success? Build affordable housing next to transit.

Faced with COVID-era civil rights complaints, Chicago commits to environmental justice
- by Great Lakes Echo

Chicago is joining a nationwide trend of large cities incorporating equity or justice goals into preparing for climate change’s impact on public health.

Study calls for EPA to include human well-being in Great Lakes restoration program
- by Gary Wilson, Great Lakes Now

Historically restoration work focused on measurable ecological outcomes. Researchers make the case to codify human well-being into the process.

Chicago could be first major Midwestern city to ban gas in new construction
- by Grist

Buildings are Chicago’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, but efforts to decarbonize them are facing union opposition.