Preckwinkle, Other Officials Jump In Chicago River
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago River isn't quite what it used to be, and elected officials took great effort to prove that Saturday.
Wearing a wet suit, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was all smiles as she emerged after the "Big Jump."
That's the Chgo River! Elected officials jumped in to show us it's now clean enough to swim in. More @WBBMNewsradio pic.twitter.com/t8CK3Zr5Ry
— Michele Fiore (@michelehana) September 16, 2017
Preckwinkle joined more than a dozen others who jumped into the river at Ping Tom Park in Chinatown to prove the river is safe for people with normal immune systems. Preckwinkle said the event is "a long overdue effort to help cleanup the river."
The "Big Jump," hosted by Friends of the Chicago River, was intended to highlight the steps taken to improve the river's water quality.
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky had a response similar to Preckwinkle's, saying, "It [the river] felt clean, the temperature was perfect. It was a great day to swim in the Chicago River."
Great day to jump in the Chicago River! Never thought this would be possible. pic.twitter.com/zrRUbYLvKt
— Jan Schakowsky (@janschakowsky) September 16, 2017
Participation was limed to the elected officials.
Rep. Mike Quigley said, "We've made a lot of progress to ensure [the] Chicago River is clean and enjoyable for all, but we'll keep working to protect this key resource."
Today, I took the #BigJump into the #ChicagoRiver to support efforts by enviro advocates & elected officials to keep river safe & swimmable pic.twitter.com/2SQFnwnESg
— Mike Quigley (@RepMikeQuigley) September 16, 2017
Other officials who jumped into the river included City Clerk Anna Valencia, State Treasurer Mike Frerichs, 25th Ward Ald. Danny Solis and Robert Kaplan, acting regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Taking #TheBigJump into the Chicago River this morning. Brrrr, it was refreshing! #cleanriver @chicagoriver pic.twitter.com/3BGkm9o5uk
— Treasurer Michael Frerichs (@ILTreasurer) September 16, 2017