Throughout the evening, we’ll recognize outstanding members of our river community with our annual River Commitment Awards.

The polystyrene ban supports Friends’ Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River program and efforts to reduce the waste stream to reduce litter in and along the river which harms people and wildlife.

On a river cruise with SOCAP 2026, members of Friends’ leadership team shared a series of stories highlighting the many years of effort, community partnerships, public policy and planning outcomes, and strategic leadership that resulted in a river clean enough for swimming.

Join Friends and its partners for lunch and a discussion about what the project has uncovered, what opportunities lie ahead, and to share your perspective to inform the ongoing effort to shape the future of what we hope will be renamed the Illinois Prairie Canal.

Chicago is one step closer to reducing plastic pollution.

Friends of the Chicago River and the Illinois Environmental Council hosted "Civics for Water Advocates: From Local Water Challenges to Federal Action" bringing water advocates together to learn how federal policies and investments shape water priorities in Chicago and across Illinois.

Investments like this are essential to meeting increasingly stringent water quality standards and advancing a vision for a river system that supports people, water, and wildlife.

Volunteer birding experts from the Chicago Ornithological Society joined us to help identify and track birds.

Proceeds from the special cruise benefit important programming at the Bridgehouse Museum.

Hear from community and environmental leaders about the water challenges facing our watershed, learn how federal policy connects to work happening in our communities, and get practical tips for engaging your members of Congress.