UPDATED Wednesday October 9th

Lake Levels Town Hall Meeting
Monday, October 21, 6:30pm
Galvin Hall (Loyola University), 6339 N. Sheridan

Alderman Osterman and Alderwoman Hadden have invited the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Chicago Department of Transportation, and others to address the community about actions being taken in preparation for extreme fall and winter weather and working to protect our infrastructure. This forum is open to the public at no charge.

Recent Weather Not Helping With Water Problems And Serious Risk Of Potential Flooding Along Lake Michigan Shoreline

From Our Friends At ASCO:

ADDRESSING POTENTIAL FLOODING ON LAKEFRONT

The Chicago Park District, City of Chicago, and the US Army Corps of Engineers recently (Aug 20-Aug 30) sent a drone along the Chicago Shoreline from the Juneway Beach along the North Side to the Indiana state line, the entire 18 mile stretch of Chicago’s lakefront. It will provide an assessment of the condition of the lakefront and existing shoreline protection: identify near-term and long- term, sustainable strategies to address erosion and storm damage; and identify partnerships and resources to implement long-term, sustainable improvements to protect our lakefront.

Now the plan is to install hundreds of yards of jersey concrete barriers along key areas of the lakefront. The barriers will be installed along Lake Shore Drive from oak St. to North Ave, and to Fullerton. Other North Side locations include Juneway Beach, Rogers Park, Howard Beach, and Granville St.

At a meeting on Thurs. Sept.5,  was attended by over 85 people including Alderman Harry Osterman (48th Ward), Maria Hadden (49th Ward), US Congressman Jan Schakowski, and other local, state officials ( Sen Heather Steans, House of Representative Kelly Cassidy), City Departments, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. The US Army Corps of Engineers delivered a presentation regarding this year’s high lake levels.They are at a 30 year high due to the record-breaking rains this past spring.However,lake levels are cyclical, and the Army Corps projections indicate they will level off and begin to fall over time. In his weekly newsletter, Alderman Osterman said, “It is my priority to prepare for fall and winter weather in order to take precautions against bad weather that may cause dangerous conditions exacerbated by high water levels.The Army Corps of Engineers will continue to monitor the lake in the coming months. I am committed to working with the City,and with the Army Corps of Engineers to prepare our community.”

After Sept.5, ASCO hosted a meeting of Sheridan Road presidents, managers, and ASCO representatives, a representative from the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Alderman Osterman. Alderman Osterman explained and listened to our concerns. People also shared their plans. He did tell us about the high water levels, effect of the cold winter, and wants the City to be prepared. Short term was discussed and possibly more jersey barriers installed at Rosemont, Glenlake, and Thorndale. Long-term can be creating a buffer zone between our buildings/lakefront area and Lake Michigan. Also to have the US Army Corps do a study which can take 3 years, and will cost $3 million. We also discussed the large ponding on Osterman Beach as well as behind the nearby buildings. The alderman will be looking at this area.

Alderman Harry Osterman and Alderman Hadden plan to host a town hall on this topic later this fall. If you have any question about this issue, email harry@48thward.org.

Please check ASCO website for any updates www.ascosheridanroad.org.

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