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📅 Today's Story: Chicago celebrated a major environmental milestone as the Chicago River hosted its first open swim in nearly a century, thanks to decades of water quality improvements and raised funds for ALS research and youth swim safety.
ENVIRONMENT
Chicago River Clean Enough to Swim in After 98 Years |
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Hundreds plunge into the Chicago River on Sept. 21, 2025, for the first time in nearly 100 years (Block Club Chicago)
📰 What Happened: This month, more than 250 swimmers participated in a 2-mile race down the Chicago River. Organized by a local nonprofit, the event marked the first legal, organized swim in the river since 1927, and raised funds for ALS research at Northwestern while promoting swim safety education for Chicago youth.
🔍 A Closer Look: Once infamous for its industrial pollution from area meatpacking plants, the Chicago River has undergone a dramatic transformation. A key turnaround driver is the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), led by the city, which created infrastructure to divert stormwater and sewage, reducing harmful runoff.
🧠 Why It Matters: The race is not just a symbolic win but also a milestone in urban sustainability, public health, and civic pride. Chicago’s efforts also mirror global trends, as cities like Paris push to make urban rivers swimmable ahead of major events like the 2024 Olympics.
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