Friends of the Chicago River

“The 20th century was dominated by massive public works projects that sought to engineer solutions to the problems that affected the Chicago River. These projects protected the city’s drinking water and stopped raw sewage from pouring into the river. Yet, these engineered solutions do not address all the river’s needs.

Better water quality, enhanced habitat, and comprehensive public policies that recognize the value of healthy environments are imperative.

We, in partnership with many public and private agencies and individuals like you, are working to bring about these changes. We envision beautiful riverbanks, a continuous trail, and thousands of people enjoying the river’s many wonders.”
—Friends of the Chicago River, established 1979