The Chicago Lakefront: Protected, Yet Precarious

The Chicago lakefront is at a critical crossroads. Several multi-billion-dollar development proposals—such as the Quantum Campus development, the Bears Stadium proposal, the Redefine the Drive project, and the settlement of the Combined Disposal Facility lawsuit—have been approved or are under consideration. In light of these changes, strong legal protections are essential to govern land use decisions along the city’s public lakefront. This report serves as both an analysis and a potential roadmap for reforms to better safeguard this valuable public open space for future generations.

Since its founding in Chicago in 1963, Openlands has been a steadfast advocate for lakefront preservation. The organization played a key role in a coalition of civic leaders, organizations, and advocates that helped develop The Lakefront Plan of Chicago and later the Lakefront Protection Ordinance in the 1970s. Over the decades, Openlands has consistently championed the protection of the lakefront, weighing in on various development proposals to ensure responsible stewardship of this cherished public resource.

Spend a day at the lakefront on the first warm day of spring—or any sunny day—and you’ll see Chicagoans of all backgrounds coming together to enjoy the waterfront. Families and friends gather for barbecues, cyclists cruise along the 18-mile trail, swimmers dive into the water at one of more than two dozen beaches, and birdwatchers explore the lakefront’s many nature sanctuaries. The lakefront is more than just a recreational space; it is Chicago’s shared gathering place.

Beyond its role as the city’s civic heart, the lakefront serves a critical environmental function—it is the last barrier protecting Lake Michigan, the fifth-largest lake in the world, the only Great Lake entirely within the United States, and the source of our drinking water.

As Chicago’s largest public open space, the lakefront belongs to everyone, from the North Side to the South Side. Its protection ensures equal access and benefits for all. However, each new intrusive development that bypasses proper review sets a precedent for further encroachment, gradually chipping away at this vital public resource. To prevent this, all Chicagoans must stand together to safeguard the lakefront for generations to come.

Chicago’s public lakefront park system spans more than 3,400 acres, making it unparalleled in terms of publicly accessible waterfront space. While cities like San Francisco, Cleveland, and Brooklyn have invested millions in revitalizing their waterfronts, none offer the same combination of expansive natural space and unrestricted public access that Chicago provides.

Chicago’s status as a global city is strengthened by its public lakefront—a defining feature that sets it apart. As this report outlines, many factors have contributed to preserving this unique asset, but one consistent force throughout history has been the dedication of advocates, planners, and civic leaders who have tirelessly championed its protection.

Not all development along the lakefront is harmful. Responsible development—when it preserves the lakefront’s natural character, integrates green spaces, provides public access, and meets the highest environmental standards—can enhance public enjoyment.

If the legal protections in place function as intended, intrusive development should be prevented, while responsible projects that align with these principles can be allowed. Our policy recommendations focus on strengthening and clarifying the Lakefront Protection Ordinance to ensure these safeguards work as they should, eliminating the need for the public to continually fight against inappropriate developments.

Intrusive development refers to any project that violates or undermines the legal protections established by the public trust doctrine and the Lakefront Protection Ordinance (LPO), as outlined in this report. This can happen through a project’s size, scale, intensity, or design. For example, a proposed lakefront structure may be considered intrusive if it:

• Towers over the surrounding landscape, disrupting the natural skyline;
• Causes significant harm to wildlife or leads to environmental degradation;
• Blocks or restricts public access due to its size, use, or private benefits; or
• Features aesthetic elements that clash with the surrounding natural environment.

When development crosses these thresholds, it threatens the integrity of the lakefront as a shared public resource.

The Lakefront Protection District is a designated area along Chicago’s lakefront, extending into Lake Michigan, that receives heightened legal protections. Established in 1973, it is defined by the Lakefront Protection Ordinance and mapped out here.

This district identifies specific land, shoreline, and water zones that require additional oversight. While it does not prohibit development, it adds a layer of protection beyond standard zoning regulations to ensure responsible land use. However, the district does not cover all areas of the lakefront equally—some neighborhoods have limited protections due to the current map boundaries.

In 2024, six development proposals in Chicago required review under the Lakefront Protection Ordinance. In 2023, nine projects triggered the same review process.

While these numbers may seem small, even a single intrusive development can significantly impact wildlife, public access to the lakefront, and the environmental protections the ordinance is designed to uphold.

If your property is within the Lakefront Protection District, these regulations already apply to you. Routine repairs and minor renovations are exempt from review. However, if you plan to demolish and rebuild or undertake major renovations, the proposed updates would provide clearer guidelines on how the city evaluates environmentally responsible development and the standards required within the district.

The Lakefront Protection Ordinance (LPO) includes several regulations that impact DuSable Lake Shore Drive. It requires:

• Frequent pedestrian access – Pedestrian connections must be provided at least every quarter mile, with additional access points wherever possible.
• Enhancing public access points – These connection areas must be maintained and improved to ensure safe and enjoyable access to the lakefront.
• Improving public transportation – The ordinance encourages better transit options to make the lakefront more accessible to all.
• Limiting roadway expansion – Most importantly, the LPO prohibits the construction of roadways or expressway-style infrastructure within lakefront parks.

All new developments affecting DuSable Lake Shore Drive must comply with the LPO to safeguard public access, preserve natural resources, and maintain the lakefront’s integrity.

One of The Lakefront Plan of Chicago’s key policies states:

“Ensure a harmonious relationship between the lakeshore parks and the community edge, but in no instance will further private development be permitted east of Lake Shore Drive.”

However, when the Lakefront Plan was published, the former U.S. Steel site was still an active steel plant. As a result, it was excluded from the Lakefront Protection Ordinance (LPO), along with other lakefront areas on Chicago’s South Side. Today, it remains outside the LPO’s protections, except for the parks created after the plant’s closure in the 1990s—Steelworkers Park and Park 566.

Additionally, while the site is considered public trust land, it may not fully benefit from those protections. The steel plant was built in 1880 and later acquired by U.S. Steel in 1901. Although U.S. Steel illegally filled in a large portion of the site, it successfully obtained authorization from the state legislature in 1909 to purchase the infilled land.

Now, the site is being redeveloped as the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park. As designs continue to evolve, Openlands is advocating for the highest standards in site design, lakefront connectivity, community benefits, and public access. Openlands is also calling for a revised lakefront protection plan to ensure more equitable access and stronger protections for all areas of the shoreline.

Openlands supports the PsiQuantum development but is closely monitoring its progress to ensure the project prioritizes public access, open space preservation, and community-driven design.

Openlands opposes the current Chicago Bears stadium proposal, citing significant concerns about its impact on wildlife and the environment. Additionally, the inclusion of a hotel and restaurants raises concerns about setting a precedent for further commercial development on the lakefront and other publicly owned lands.

Openlands has not taken a public position on the Redefine the Drive proposal at this time.