Buckner Advocates for Environmental Protections for Chicago’s Lake Shore

CHICAGO – Working to advocate for pro-active environmental protections, state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, is passionately urging Illinois Congress members to act quickly to address the erosion of Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline.

“As water levels continue to rise in Lake Michigan, we must act quickly to protect our communities on the shoreline,” Buckner said. “That is why I am strongly urging our Illinois Congress members to bring increased federal resources and assistance to improve and protect the shoreline, adjacent infrastructure, and our frontline communities. While it is clear all viable solutions will come with a hefty price, inaction will cost us even more.”

Buckner penned a letter to the Illinois Congressional Delegation urging them to support funding initiatives and policies to address this growing ecological crisis. Chicago’s shoreline currently sits beneath Lake Michigan, which is ranked the fifth largest lake in the world. The 28 miles of lakeshore is home to numerous businesses, tourist attractions, beach sites, walking trails, natural inhabitants, and numerous homeowners. This issue has grown in urgency as water levels have continued to rise, erosion has increased, weather has worsened, and shoreline communities have been hit with serious wind and water damage. Buckner is urging all of Illinois’ Congressional delegation to request more federal resources to help vulnerable communities through the Great Lake Restoration Initiative and the Water Resources Development Act, and to protect the shoreline in the newly announced House of Representatives infrastructure package.

“There is still time to act to address this critical issue head-on and ensure the safety of our shoreline communities,” Buckner said. “I passionately urge all Illinois Congress members to act quickly to request more federal resources through the Great Lake Restoration Initiative and the Water Resources Development Act and to back similar legislation to protect the communities that call Lake Michigan shoreline home.”

Buckner’s 26th District contains all or parts of Bronzeville, Gold Coast, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, South Chicago, South Loop, South Shore, Streeterville and Woodlawn.