Friends of the Chicago River

10/13/2026

Celebrate the people who make our work possible!

Join Friends of the Chicago River on Thursday, November 12, for our Member and Volunteer Celebration, an evening honoring the members, volunteers, and partners who help protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system.

We’ll celebrate this year’s accomplishments and recognize outstanding members of our river community with our annual awards: River Champion, Volunteer of the Year, Spirit of the River, and River Resiliency.

Enjoy complimentary food and drinks, connect with fellow river advocates, and celebrate the people making a difference for the river and its communities.

Thursday, November 12, 6–8 p.m.
Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center
6100 N. Central Ave., Chicago

Free to attend. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3uuyp2cf

10/13/2026

Chicago is one step closer to reducing plastic pollution, and we need YOUR help! An ordinance that would prohibit City departments from purchasing disposable food containers will be voted on at Chicago City Council TOMORROW, October 14 at 10:00 a.m. An estimated 85% of trash found in and around the Chicago-Calumet River system is plastic, and roughly one-third of that is polystyrene foam. Reducing plastic waste at the source is critical to protecting our rivers, wildlife, and communities. We need Chicago residents to contact their alderpeople TODAY and urge them to vote YES!

Find your alderperson here: https://tinyurl.com/ynsyy9p6

For sample language to send to your alderperson: https://tinyurl.com/586arxtn

10/09/2026

How do local water challenges become federal action?

Today, Friends of the Chicago River partnered with the The Illinois Environmental Council to host Civics for Water Advocates: From Local Water Challenges to Federal Action, a training designed to help advocates understand federal water policy and strengthen their civic engagement skills.

Participants explored how federal programs, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Water Resources Development Act, support water infrastructure, flood protection, environmental restoration, and clean water access across Illinois.

A panel moderated by Friends Director of Policy and Conservation John Quail featured Chakena D. Sims Sims of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Adella Bass of People for Community Recovery, Kylah Seltzer Johnston Seltzer-Johnston of the Cook County Bureau of Asset Management, and Davis, commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Panelists shared perspectives on how federal decisions affect communities and discussed priorities and opportunities for engagement.

Building a strong water advocacy movement means connecting local knowledge with the policies and investments that shape our waterways. By equipping advocates with the tools to engage decision-makers, we can help advance healthier rivers and more resilient communities. Thanks to Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition for supporting this work.

10/08/2026

2 4 6 8 who do we appreciate? Our 26.2 mile runners, that’s who! Congratulations to all 18 members of our Friends of the Chicago River fundraising team on being a part of the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Support our runners and our mission by donating to Friends today. 2027 applications are open today. Click the link to apply today: https://tinyurl.com/3e24dwt6

10/07/2026

Clean water protections are at risk: the U.S. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers are considering changes to the definition of “waters of the United States” that could remove federal Clean Water Act protections from many seasonal and intermittent streams and wetlands. These waters store stormwater, filter pollution, provide wildlife habitat, and protect downstream waterways like the Chicago-Calumet River system. Our partners at Environment Illinois have made it easy to send a message to the EPA urging to keep existing protections in place by October 9. Use the link here to take action: https://tinyurl.com/3vbt5jka

10/05/2026

09/30/2026

Overflow Action Alert

Heavy rain is expected in the Chicago area today. Reduce your use of water during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality:

• Delay showers and baths
• Flush less frequently
• Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine

Flooding and sewer backups can happen for a variety of reasons. To help prevent flooding inside or around your home, there are actions you and your family can take before and during rainfall.

Learn how to prepare for stormwater at this link: https://mwrd.org/community-action/you-can-help-prevent-flooding-and-protect-water-quality.

Learn more about Combined Sewer Overflow prevention here: https://mwrd.org/community-action/overflow-action

Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alerts via text
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/YhH2xGP/MWRDSignup

Learn what you should do during flooding:
https://mwrd.org/community-action/what-you-should-do-during-flooding

For more information and explanations about how the MWRD’s infrastructure and waterway system operate, visit these links:

Learn about the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP)
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/tunnel-and-reservoir-plan-tarp

Understand how the Chicago Area Waterway System works
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/reducing-flooding/chicago-area-waterway-system-caws

Learn about the types of sewer systems in Cook County
https://mwrd.org/community-action/understanding-your-sewer

Request a presentation for your community
https://mwrd.org/education/speakers-and-outreach

Tour our facilities
https://mwrd.org/education/tours

Municipal partners can explore stormwater partnership opportunities
https://mwrd.org/stormwater/partnerships

The top of the MWRD’s website displays a notification if an Overflow Action Alert is active. Visit mwrd.org.

Overflow Action Alerts are a joint initiative of the MWRD and Friends of the Chicago River.

09/27/2026

This World Rivers Day, we’re celebrating 30 years of helping K-12 students and teachers discover the wonders of the Chicago-Calumet River system as a classroom.

For three decades, Friends of the Chicago River’s Chicago-Calumet River Schools Network (CRSN) has reached nearly 650,000 students through hands-on, place-based learning in the river, and more than 2,000 teachers have participated in CRSN educator workshops.

Educating the next generation of river stewards is an important part of creating a healthier, more resilient Chicago-Calumet River system for all people, water, and wildlife.

Celebrate World Rivers Day by supporting this important work.
Donate now: chicagoriver.org/donate

09/25/2026

How do federal policies and investments shape water priorities here in Chicago? Join Friends of the Chicago River and Illinois Environment Council on Friday, October 9 from noon-2:00 p.m. for a training on the federal initiatives that support local work on water infrastructure, flooding, environmental restoration, and access to clean water. Hear from community and environmental leaders about the water challenges facing Chicago, learn how federal policy connects to work happening in our communities, and get practical tips for engaging your members of Congress. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your advocacy skills and learn how to make your voice heard on the water issues that matter to Chicago! RSVP required, register here: https://tinyurl.com/2mnbdxr7