Biggest Chicago River Day Ever

Our 33rd annual Chicago River Day on May 10 was one for the record books. With more than 2,800 volunteers, 92 cleanup sites, and unprecedented support from elected officials and sponsors, this year’s event was the largest in Friends history!

Volunteers of all ages—from families and community groups to corporate teams—came together to clean up and restore the 156-mile Chicago-Calumet River system. With the support of 32 generous sponsors and partners across the City of Chicago, Cook County, and Lake County, participants collected litter, removed invasive plants, and improved trails from Lake County to the Calumet region and as far southwest as Crestwood, Summit, and Palos. We also had a great turnout at our three community hubs, where we talked with community members about our River Shallows project —a vital initiative to strengthen the river’s edge by improving habitats, reducing erosion, and boosting climate resilience with native aquatic plants. The hubs were located at Kickapoo Woods in Riverdale, Canal Shores Golf Course in Evanston, and Canal Origins Park on Chicago's Southwest Side.

This year also saw our highest level of elected official participation, with a total of 26 federal, state, county, and city leaders joining the effort including Congressman Sean Casten (IL-6), Mayor Ken Klein of Crestwood, Village Presidents Bob Dearborn (Winnetka) and Sergio Rodriguez (Summit), along with two Cook County commissioners, six commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, three state senators, and five state representatives.

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Chicago River Day a powerful example of what we can achieve together to protect and restore the river system for all people, water, and wildlife.