The city is experiencing summer, the backs of the necks of Chicagoans are becoming grimy and gritty, and what could be a more effective solution than taking a swim in Lake Michigan at one of the neighbourhood beaches?
On the other hand, there is not a single person to be found at certain beaches around Lake Michigan in Cook and Lake counties, as well as at certain beaches along inland lakes in McHenry County. As a result of the high levels of E. coli bacteria, the beaches are either temporarily closed or under advisory.
On Monday, high levels of E. coli were found at four beaches in Chicago: Marion Mahony Griffin Beach at Jarvis Avenue, Leone Beach at Touhy Avenue, Loyola Beach at Greenleaf Avenue, and Margaret T. Boroughs at 31st Street, also known as 31st Street Beach. All of these beaches are located in Rogers Park, and one of them is located in Bronzeville.
On Monday, all of the beaches in the North Shore suburbs of Cook County, including those in Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, and Glencoe, were officially open for business.
Due to the elevated levels of germs that were present on Monday, the Highland Park Marine Dog Beach in Lake County was placed under a swimming advisory warning. Waukegan North Beach, Waukegan South Beach, and North Point Marina Beach in Winthrop Harbor, which is located on the state line between Illinois and Wisconsin, were all given warnings to refrain from swimming due to the presence of high levels of germs.
Both the Dorothy Court and Veterans Park beaches at Island Lake, which are located in McHenry County, were blocked owing to the presence of high levels of germs. The Main Beach at Crystal Lake was also closed.
It has been brought to the attention of the McHenry County Health Department that certain beaches that have been designated as closed by the Illinois Department of Public Health are not temporarily closed due to the presence of bacteria; rather, they are closed indefinitely and are no longer in use. These include the following:
- Beach number three on the Crystal Lake subdivision of the Country Club Additions Property Owners Association
- Lodge on the Rimas of Griswold Lake
- A beach at Lily Lake
- Park along the East Beach of McCullom Lake
- The beach at Willoaks Lake
- The beach at Willow Lake
It has been reported by health experts that swimmers who are exposed to E. coli germs may become ill. Diarrhea, vomiting, and the presence of a low-grade temperature are some of the symptoms.
The water is tested on a regular basis by the Illinois Department of Public Health in order to decide whether it is safe for beaches to come back into operation.
