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Sometimes, fighting the good fight can produce fantastic results

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Illinois

* This is the story of the consistent and strong efforts of regular people who pressured their governments and, eventually, with the assistance of elected officials and lots of news media reports, turned multiple tragedies into literally a lifesaving moment. Let’s start the post with this piece from last August…

She’s not alone. Halle Quezada witnessed a 13-year-old girl drown at a Rogers Park beach in 2018. She says people on the shore searched frantically for anything that would float.

“It was just chaos in those moments, and there was absolutely nothing available to help,” said Quezada, who knows the girl’s family.

Quezada launched a petition and started publicly advocating for changes. Among other things, she wants water rescue flotation devices, like the life preservers already posted at harbors and near the river; restored lifeguard hours; and numbered beaches and break walls so people can easily provide their location to 911 if they call about a swimmer in distress. […]

“When we do put up certain measures, you are increasing your risk of liability by representing that those areas … have been determined to be swimmable or usable areas,” said the Park District’s Timothy M. King. “From a legal standpoint, the best thing to do right now is nothing, because that’s the only way to not take on that increased risk of liability.” […]

“Our argument is not about liability. What it really is, is about making sure that people are … observing the rules to not swim where they’re not supposed to swim and at times they’re not supposed to swim,” said board president Avis LaVelle. “If we put these rings where we tell people not to swim that’s winking at us telling people not to swim there.” […]

“I’m not encouraging people to go into the water, but this is something that is needed,” Leon said. “If there would have been a life ring a water rescue station near where my father ended up drowning, no doubt in my mind (he would have survived).” […]

“If we can’t compel park districts to protect their kids (from) a leading cause of death for their age group, then we’ll look to compel them to protect our kids because they have to by law,” Quezada said.

* From last September…

During a vigil Tuesday evening to honor Miguel Cisneros, the 19-year-old who drowned Aug. 22 after jumping into Lake Michigan off Pratt Pier, community members renewed their call for the city to install lifesaving devices along the lakefront.

“Signs are OK, but they do not save lives,” said Maria Diaz, Cisneros’ mother. “They cannot be tossed at people to be rescued. I’m asking for them to put life rings or some sort of flotation device all along the lakefront. I want to carry on Miguel’s legacy (of) being a good samaritan, helping other people, and if this could avoid another loss then … his death will not be in vain.” […]

At the Park District’s monthly board of commissioners meeting Wednesday, the agency responded to those calls with a multi-pronged plan focused on reinforcing messaging surrounding “not safe to swim” locations. […]

Halle Quezada, who has become a driving force behind the movement to provide life rings on the lakefront after witnessing a drowning in 2018, was not appeased by the district’s plan, which she called “doing the least to control bad PR.”

The emphasis on “not safe to swim” locations amounts to victim blaming, said Quezada, who spoke during the board meeting’s public comment portion.

* Also last September…

As neighbors pitched in to fund and install their own life rings at Pratt Pier, the park district repeatedly took them down, telling Ald. Maria Hadden (49th) it was because they “couldn’t vouch” for them and they could become a liability.

On Friday, Chicago Park District CEO Mike Kelly was asked at a press conference if he regretted that move.

“No,” said Kelly. “I don’t regret it. I think I made the right decision then, and I think I’m making the right decision now.” […]

Kelly made clear on Friday his reluctance to bring life rings to areas where swimming isn’t sanctioned– places like Pratt Pier.

“We’re in the life safety business, and teach-kids-to-swim business,” he said, opposing “anything that gives a semblance of comfort to going in that water where it says do not swim.”

Benjamin recoiled when he heard Kelly’s words.

“In the last 12 months alone, there have been 9 drowning incidents in Chicago along the lake, where life rings could have saved a life,” he said. “These are human lives.”

Mike Kelly resigned the following month for different direct reasons, but the same overall attitude.

* January…

State legislators are considering a new bill that would require life-saving equipment at all public access points along Lake Michigan following an outcry last summer over safety measures at Rogers Park beaches. […]

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Rogers Park) helped lead the effort to install life rings at city beaches and is the main sponsor of the state legislative proposal. Requiring safety devices at public access points along the entirety of the state’s Lake Michigan shoreline can help prevent future drownings, she said.

“That this bill is needed is a tragedy, but it also represents what happens when a community comes together to solve a problem,” Cassidy said in a statement.

* April…

Water safety advocates scored a major victory in the last month with the successful advancement of the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act.

The bill passed unanimously through the Illinois State House on March 2, and passed through the House Human Services Committee on March 30. It now goes to the desk of Governor Pritzker to be signed into law.

The bill comes after a decade-long grassroots community campaign for lakefront water safety — an issue exasperated by the drowning death of 19-year-old Miguel Cisneros at Pratt Pier last summer.

State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-14), head sponsor of the bill, said, “Fundamentally, this is about preventing tragedies like Miguel’s death. Raising awareness of the power of Lake Michigan and helping people understand the risks and ways to stay safe is top of mind.”

According to the Great Lakes Rescue Project, there have been 1,044 drowning deaths on the Great Lakes since 2010 — roughly half of which were on Lake Michigan. And citywide, Roger’s Park holds the highest rate of drowning deaths of any neighborhood, a title it has held since 2010.

* This past Friday…

Life rings will be required at all Lake Michigan access points in the state after Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new law that some Far North Side neighbors and officials have been seeking for years.

Pritzker on Thursday signed the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act, which mandates that private and government-owned piers, beaches and drop-off points along Lake Michigan have life saving equipment such as life rings.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Rogers Park) after the drowning death of 19-year-old Miguel Cisneros last summer near Farwell Pier.

Neighbors installed life rings at the pier following Cisneros and at least two other drowning deaths at the location, but those rings were removed by the Chicago Park District. The incident led to a new wave of advocacy for life rings along the lakefront, helping to change park district policy and now state law.

* Yesterday…

Of the Great Lakes, experts say Lake Michigan has the highest rate of drownings. But just days after Governor JB Pritzker signed a new law mandating lifesaving rings be installed on all piers and drop-off points along Lake Michigan, a life was saved at North Avenue Beach.

“A person on the lakefront saw someone struggling in the water. They stayed dry. They grabbed a life ring,” said Dave Benhamin, co-founder and executive director of Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. “They threw it in. They helped pull the person out. They saved a life. they put the life ring back. And then everyone went on with their day.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:09 am

Comments

Harm reduction. People WILL be stupid and do things they shouldn’t, and you have to plan for that.

Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:16 am
Reach, throw, row, go…

Will have that from my Red Cross lifeguard class etched in my mind forever.

Added bonus, since my HS had a pool I was able to get out of the gymnastics component of gym by teaching swimming instead.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:18 am
Props to the advocates for not giving up and shame upon the park district.

Comment by Shibboleth Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:19 am
We were walking at Promontory Point the other day, and noticed a slew of these new life rings - bright red, so very noticeable.

People swim off the Point all the time, and there have been a couple of drownings in the last two years. At least one occurred when there were people around, and these life rings might have saved him.

Kudos to Sra. Quezada for her persistence, and to Rep. Cassidy for getting this bill through.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:20 am
“And then everyone went on with their day” is the quote of the century about government and civilization in general.

When it works its best, it is at its least visible.

When it is at its worst, it is it’s most visible.

That’s the “thankless” part of the thankless job. If we come to appreciate the wins being invisible, there will be less gravitation by leaders to the show-off and showy.

“The City that works” used to be that appreciation. I don’t think it is there anymore.

Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:22 am
===Kelly made clear on Friday his reluctance to bring life rings to areas where swimming isn’t sanctioned– places like Pratt Pier.

“We’re in the life safety business, and teach-kids-to-swim business,” he said, opposing “anything that gives a semblance of comfort to going in that water where it says do not swim.”===

This is about the most ridiculous statement ever. Cross the river just about anywhere and there are life rings on the bridge just in case. No one sees those and thinks swimming in the river is a good idea

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:25 am
The Chicago Park District has some of the most tone deaf individuals ever to work for a governmental body.

Comment by low level Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:40 am
It may not even be about saving people in the water. It can be about addressing the feeling of helplessness in people watching. I can’t imagine the desperation of someone searching for something that could float to throw to a drowning person and not finding anything. Giving people a crutch isn’t the same as giving them permission.

Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:48 am
Has some buildings making defibrillators available resulted in an increase in the consumption of cheeseburgers Mr. Kelly?

Comment by Big Dipper Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:52 am
What an infuriating level of cognitive dissonance on behalf of the park district

Comment by Sox Fan Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:52 am
Life rings alone are not enough.
Kids (and adults) must be taught the dangers of swimming on unguarded beaches. And to never ever ever swim near an obstruction like a pier.( I speak from experience.)

This WTTW special was a great explainer. Will run again in July:

https://schedule.wttw.com/episodes/566783/Rip-Current-Rescue/

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:53 am
The Park District might be shocked to find out that people are going to go swimming in no-swimming areas regardless of their stupid decisions. Like literally all they need to do is walk the length of Lincoln Park during the summer.

I’m convinced that way too many people in power over way too many things in the city (whether it is parks, libraries, bike lanes, schools, etc) have zero idea how the average Chicagoan behaves, or makes use of those services and facilities.

Every single one of them is wildly out of touch.

Comment by Homebody Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:55 am
My understanding is that these life rings, which I think are absolutely necessary to save lives, disappear regularly becoming must have pool decorations and social media cred photos. Will there be cameras nearby to catch the inevitable pilferers?

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:58 am
“ The Chicago Park District has some of the most tone deaf individuals ever to work for a governmental body.”

It’s not just the Park District, it’s so many of the city’s departments.

CDOT was opposed to left turn signals for decades, and seems to still be opposed to having them sensor activated.

They applied for barely any federal funding from ISTEA and ISTEA 2 in the 90s because they didn’t “believe in” computerizing traffic signals—it’s why we still have so many dumb signals that cannot have timing managed except on site.

Los Angeles can control the timing of every traffic signal in the city from a central location, allowing for timing to be varied depending on traffic conditions. Chicago has (as best as I can tell) exactly zero signals that can be controlled remotely.

Luddite thinking rules so much of Chicago, it’s constantly disappointing.

Comment by Chris Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 10:00 am
This was a fight so dumb that only bureaucrats of the highest order could have possibly taken it on. Congrats to the citizens and shame on Kelly and his enablers including Mayor Lightfoot. It’s ok to ignore lawyers when they give you supremely dumb advice.

Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 10:08 am
Rarely in politics and governing do you have one side that is all bad and one that is all good. But you clearly did here. Thank goodness that this got done just in time.

BTW, and I apologize for the distraction, but this argument also reminds me of the gun fights where opponents of new gun safety rules always always make the argument that whatever is proposed isn’t going to solve all the problems therefore we should do nothing. That’s the position the park district took. They were very very wrong.

Comment by New Day Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 10:28 am
Couldn’t they be sued for NOT putting out “rings” after so many drownings?

What a ridiculous argument for not having life saving equipment available.

Comment by 33rd Wared Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 10:38 am
Quezada made a name for herself with water safety, tried running for local dem committee person, got beat, and now just got districted out as part of the City of Chicago ward remap

Comment by Unionman Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 10:57 am
“If we put these rings where we tell people not to swim that’s winking at us telling people not to swim there.”
Seriously? I never knew those life preservers were winking at me.

Comment by Da big bad wolf Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 11:15 am
And here is an example of the difference between progressive and conservative thought patterns on policy.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 11:53 am
It’s important to distinguish between the previous and current leadership at the Park District. When I shared my frustration with how this was being handled at the district, Mayor Lightfoot intervened, broke the log jam and immediately installed rings in Rogers Park, then brought in new leadership who worked in partnership with us to craft and pass this bill that goes well beyond where we started - with an ask for rings in Chicago. Our law requires them along our entire Lake Michigan shoreline. And, Chicago installed the rings along our city lakefront a full year ahead of the deadline in the bill. Criticism of Mike Kelly and his team is well deserved, but credit where credit is due goes to Mayor Lightfoot and the new leadership team at the Chicago Park District.

Comment by Kelly Cassidy Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 12:07 pm
If your attitude is that failing to follow a “do not swim” sign should be the basis for doing nothing to stop preventable deaths you should not be in government.

If you agree with these people, you should not be in government.

If you look at a situation where people are dying and decide that the best policy option is to do nothing because of concern over the liability of installing a safety measure then you should not be in government.

Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 12:22 pm
To name names, Rosa Escareno is the new CEO/Superintendent of the Chicago Park District. Kudos to her.

Comment by City Guy Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 12:58 pm
==They applied for barely any federal funding from ISTEA and ISTEA 2 in the 90s because they didn’t “believe in” computerizing traffic signals==

Sounds like there’s a similar attitude regarding Springfield traffic lights.

Comment by Just Sayin Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 2:53 pm
This is good, common sense legislation. Whether life rings are there are not people are going to do dumb things, or slip & fall in unintentionally. But every instance of “everybody went on with their day” is an instance where police and fire resources don’t have to be used for either a rescue operation or a body recovery and that should always be the goal.

Comment by MyTwoCents Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 5:29 pm
=== Cross the river just about anywhere and there are life rings on the bridge just in case. No one sees those and thinks swimming in the river is a good idea===

Exactly. If anything, the presence of life rings signals ‘not a good place to dive/swim.’ I’ve dealt with Park District legal and leadership on other issues as a sister agency, and was always underwhelmed and frustrated. Escareno is a breath of fresh air and will move things forward in a positive direction. So happy she didn’t stay retired.

Comment by Leslie K Tuesday, Jun 7, 22 @ 9:17 pm