CHICAGO — A number of beaches across the Chicago area are either closed or under bacterial advisories as health officials report elevated E. coli levels that may pose a risk to public health.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) issued the advisory covering both Lake Michigan beaches and inland beach locations, citing recent water testing data that found unsafe concentrations of bacteria — particularly E. coli, which can cause gastrointestinal issues, skin infections, and other illnesses if people are exposed.
Lake Michigan Beaches Impacted
In the Lake County and Cook County areas, the following beaches were affected:
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Highland Park Moraine Park Dog Beach (Lake County)
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North Point Marina Beach (Lake County)
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Waukegan North Beach (Lake County)
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Wilmette Langdon Beach (Cook County)
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Juneway Terrace Park Beach (Cook County)
These closures come during one of the busiest beach weekends of the summer season, raising concerns for families, swimmers, and pet owners looking to cool off along the lakeshore.
Inland Beaches with Elevated Bacteria Levels
The advisory extends well beyond Lake Michigan, affecting inland recreational lakes and parks across northern Illinois. The impacted sites include:
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Manteno Sportsman’s Club (Kankakee County)
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Stonehouse Park (DeKalb County)
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Multiple beaches in McHenry County, including:
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Crystal Lake – Lake Park and Ccapoa Beach #3
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Griswold Lake – Rimas Lodge
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Island Lake – Dorothy Court Beach & Veterans Park Beach
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McCullom Lake – East Beach Park
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Vulcan Lake – Three Oaks Recreation Area
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Willoaks and Willow Lakes
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Wonder Lake – Deep Springs Wood, Lookout Point, Wonder Woods
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Woods Creek Lake – Butch Hagele Beach, Indian Trail Beach
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The widespread closures and advisories highlight a seasonal challenge in maintaining water quality at popular swimming locations, especially following heavy rainstorms, which can increase runoff carrying bacteria into lakes.
What This Means for Beachgoers
While some beaches are fully closed, others remain open under swimming advisories, meaning visitors are urged to exercise caution and avoid entering the water — particularly young children, elderly individuals, and people with weakened immune systems.
The IDPH encourages the public to check the most current beach advisory status before heading out, as conditions may change quickly depending on further testing.
How to Stay Safe
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Check the Illinois Beach Monitoring Website for up-to-date closure information.
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Avoid swimming after heavy rainfalls, which can cause a spike in bacteria.
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Always shower after swimming in natural bodies of water.
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Don’t allow pets to drink lake water, especially during advisory periods.
Have you had to cancel a summer beach trip due to these water quality warnings? Share your experience or thoughts in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — your voice matters in helping communities stay informed.
