Speakers:

• Patricia Sharkey, an environmental lawyer and board member of Friends of the Parks
• Amalia Nieto Gomez, executive director of the Alliance of the Southeast
• Moderator Ted Haffner, the Climate Fellow and Landscape Architect at Openlands

While just up the coastline in South Shore, neighbors who live right on the water are reeling from the impact of the high lake levels and more frequent and severe storms, a serious threat to our water supply is taking shape in South Chicago.

Friends of the Park is up in arms about a US Army Corps of Engineers’ proposal to build a 25-foot extension of a pollution dump—a Confined Disposal Facility (CDF)—right on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Calumet River. Besides the fact that the CDF is on land that now belongs to the Chicago Park District and is long overdue to be capped and turned into a park that connects with the immediately adjacent Calumet Park, it just seems absurd that anyone would think it a good idea to keep dumping toxins right in the path of all of that lakeshore erosion. We already know that the liner of the pollution dump doesn’t work anyway, and now the Army Corps wants to build a mountain of toxins on the lakeshore for another 20 years!

Join us as we discuss this issue with experts in the field!

DIRECTIONS

111 E. Wacker Suite 222 (enter from North side of the building on Upper Wacker)

Take escalator up to security desk and there will be either a registration table or check-in with security. Then you'll take the elevator to 2nd FL to IIDA Suite 222.

From the Kennedy (I-90) and Edens (I-94) expressways, exit at Washington Street (past the Ohio Street exit). Turn left (east) on Washington Street to Michigan Avenue. Turn left (north) on Michigan Avenue and proceed to E. South Water St. Turn right (east) on E. South Water St. and the parking garage entrance is the first driveway east of Michigan Ave., on the north side of E. South Water St. (address is 233 N. Michigan Ave.).

From the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290), continue eastbound into the city (the Eisenhower turns into Congress) to Michigan Avenue. Turn left (north) at Michigan Avenue. Left turns are not permitted at Michigan Avenue, so cross over Michigan to the turning circle, bearing left and double back to Michigan Avenue, now turning right to head north. Continue north on Michigan Avenue until you reach E. South Water St. just south of the river and proceed as above.

From Lakeshore Drive, take the north or south exit at Wacker Drive and continue westbound. Turn left (south) on Michigan Ave., then take the first left on E. South Water St. The parking garage entrance is the first driveway east of Michigan Ave., on the north side of E. South Water Street.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (CTA)

The closest CTA train transit stations are State & Lake (Brown, Green, Orange & Purple Lines), Lake (Red Line) and Clark & Lake or Washington (Blue Line). In each case, after exiting the station, walk east to Michigan Avenue, cross over to the east side, then walk north toward the river/Michigan Avenue Bridge. Do not cross the bridge. When you reach Wacker Drive, turn right (east) and the CAC will be the second building on your right. Visit the CTA's website for routes and schedules at transitchicago.com.

PARKING

The closest parking garage is located at 233 N. Michigan Ave. The entrance to the parking garage is the first driveway east of Michigan Avenue, on the north side of E. South Water Street.

Several other public parking garages are available in the River North and Loop neighborhoods. SpotHero can help you find a good deal.

(Image from Chicago Tribune)