Water quality has improved dramatically in the Chicago River. But how safe is swimming?

A final step

A Long Swim is inviting 500 participants to swim 2.4 miles from the Clark Street Bridge through a loop course between State Street and Wolf Point. The event will support ALS research at Northwestern University and has long been a dream for McConnell, a Chicago-area native who lost his dad to ALS.

“We wanted it to be in Chicago, because we’re from here, Northwestern is here, and we’ve got this fabulous resource in the form of the Chicago River,” McConnell said. “It’s really the whole reason Chicago is here in the first place.”

While McConnell said he has been in touch with the U.S. Coast Guard, he hasn’t received approval or the appropriate permits from the city –– despite opening applications for the race.

Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, whose ward is where the swim would take place, said he was surprised to learn the event had been planned without collaboration with his office or the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

At a Cultural Affairs meeting earlier this month, Conway asked city officials about the event and was told it had not yet been permitted.

“Moving forward, it’s important that they coordinate closely with DCASE and area alders to obtain the appropriate permits and ensure this event can be done safely for both participants and residents in our community,” Conway said.

McConnell said A Long Swim is working toward getting city approval and is hopeful the event will proceed as planned.

“We’re working with the Coast Guard, who is coordinating with the city,” he said. “We want to make sure we have the most successful and safe event possible.”

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