Southern Illinoisan
Illinois Beach State Park, Zion
August 28, 2025
Climate change is fueling more extreme Lake Michigan water levels, along with stronger winds and heavier storms. These conditions exacerbate erosion, beach loss, and damage along the shore.
In 2022, ELPC published a report (Rising Waters) identifying twelve hotspots in four states where high lake levels and strong storms could impact industrial facilities, contaminated sites, and communities along Lake Michigan. We included several general recommendations for the health and safety of the region, but each community faces unique challenges. These additional resources dive deeper into shoreline communities to connect people with one another and new opportunities for restoration and resilience.
This StoryMap highlights the current challenges facing Illinois shoreline communities and beaches, as well as the ways they’re responding. Scroll down to explore communities from Winthrop Harbor to Calumet Park, and everywhere in between. Indiana and Wisconsin storymaps coming soon!
This chart is a one-stop-shop for shoreline resilience resources. We have gathered a curated collection of organizations, tools, reports, news, funding opportunities, and other resources into one big chart to help communities address climate impacts. Click the tabs along the bottom to see the next category.
Click to see full chart
This directory includes a searchable contact list of scientists, professors, policy advocates, attorneys and researchers working in academia, government, the private sector, and at NGOs in both the U.S. and Canada. Search by sector (NGO, academia, etc.), field (scientist, attorney, etc), and keyword with contact information included for ease of connection.
Click for full interactive map