Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan Shoreline ‘Crisis Mode' Has Alderman Calling on Gov. Pritzker

A Chicago alderman is calling on the governor to provide cash to save the city's shoreline as Lake Michigan's water levels rise to record highs.

Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, acknowledged the severity of the problem. He's calling on Gov. JB Pritzker for the money needed to save Chicago’s shoreline.

"Right now we are in crisis mode," he said.

Rogers park resident Tom Heineman is watching this shoreline dissolve more every day. The water level this year is the highest he’s seen since the 80s.

"There used to be a beach that went out a good 20 yards," Heineman said. "The lake is so high that with the northeasterly storms this is what it did."

Hopkins said he has the governor's attention on the issue.

"I have made a personal appeal to him and it is under review, his top advisors have told him this needs to happen," he said.

From the South Side to the North Shore, the effects of erosion are apparent. People across the city fear for what could happen should lawmakers not fund a permanent fix.

“We know it's bigger than this," Heineman said. "We need a shoreline erosion plan that has some serious money behind it."

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