Chicago Beaches

Ninety degree temperatures and stiff winds have driven hundreds to Chicago beaches where there are no more lifeguards or daily water pollution tests.

Park District spokesman Michelle Jones says the beach season ended on Labor Day, (September 5th this year,) and that means an end to daily water quality tests and guard filled rowboats.

She says the Park District knows it's hot and has dozens of indoor pools open throughout the city for those who want to cool off during free swim.

Laurel O'Sullivan, Great Lakes Director for the National Resources defense council says the Chicago beach season must be extended. She says if people are swimming there should be life guards and water quality tests done to protect them.

Acting Chicago Public Health Commissioner William Paul says water quality tests are a useful precaution. But he says overall the Lake Michigan water quality is high enough that he does NOT see the lack of bacteria level tests as an imminent public health hazard.