In recent weeks life rings have appeared along Chicago beaches. Their presence is thanks in part to a bill introduced by Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Rogers Park) following the drowning death of 19-year-old Miguel Cisneros in the summer of 2021 near Farwell Pier. Rogers Park neighbors have seen a number of drowning deaths at the location, and community members have installed rings as preventative measures and have pushed the district for years to respond to drowning deaths.
In previous encounters, the Chicago Park District had removed the rings installed by neighbors which inspired more advocacy with support from Rep. Maria Hadden (49th), and eventually Rep. Cassidy’s bill, which is now helping to change park district policy. On Thursday, Governor JB Pritzker signed the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act, which mandates that all piers, beaches, and drop-off points along Lake Michigan must have life-saving equipment.
According to the governor’s office, the law also establishes that the local governments along the lakefront must post warnings in high-risk areas. The law pushes for standardized reporting for all drowning deaths to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
In his statement, Pritzker said the recent drowning deaths were “both tragic and preventable.” He continued, stating “This law will protect countless families from experiencing those same terrible losses and ensure a safer Lake Michigan for the thousands of Illinoisans who enjoy it every year.”
A district spokesperson for Chicago Park District stated that 115 life rings have been installed along the lakefront in preparation for the upcoming beach season.
There were a total of 56 drowning deaths in Lake Michigan in 2020, making it one of the deadliest years on record.
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