Chicago Sources River Ideas from Citizens

Under Rahm Emanuel's administration, the Chicago River has been given a substantial face-lift. And now the city is asking for residents' opinions on how they'd like the river to evolve. "With the expansion of the Chicago Riverwalk well underway—the Sasaki Associates–led project is supposed to open its first portions over Memorial Day weekend—the river is enjoying a surge of attention once unimaginable for a body of water better known historically for its pollution than its public space."

"Over the next 15 months, however, the city-appointed group—the Metropolitan Planning Council and Friends of the Chicago River, as well as 'topical experts and community stakeholders'—will seek ideas for all the rivers that comprise the subwatershed known as the Chicago Area Waterway System, including the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, the Cal-Sag Channel, and the Calumet Rivers." The Great Rivers Chicago website includes a survey to that effect.