Unsafe Bacteria Levels Close 4 Evanston Beaches To Swimming

EVANSTON, IL — Unsafe levels of E. coli bacteria led to swimming restrictions at four of Evanston's six public beaches Friday, city officials announced. The sandy areas of the beaches will remain open to the public until 11 p.m.

Lighthouse Beach and South Boulevard Beach will remain open for swimming until 7:30 p.m., but the water at the Lee Street, Greenwood Street, Clark Street and Lincoln Street beaches will be closed due to the elevated bacteria levels.

City officials reminded residents of the opportunity to take advantage of Evanston's cooling centers, as a heat advisory takes effect in the area and will remain in place until Sunday. To prevent heat-related health issues, officials recommended that residents stay in cool shaded areas, wear loose clothing, limit physical activities and places without ventilation, eat light meals and drink plenty of water while avoiding alcohol, caffeine and salt. People and pets should not be left alone in hot cars — even for a few minutes.

Evanston Cooling Centers Locations and Hours:

Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St.
9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday

Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823 Church St.
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday

Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave.
7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday

Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St.
7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday
8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday

Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St.
7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday through Sunday
Main Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday
Noon to 6 p.m., Sunday

North Branch Library, 2026 Central St.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday

Chicago Ave./Main St. Branch Library, 900 Chicago Ave.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday

More information is available by calling or texting city staff at 847-448-4311, by calling 311 from within Evanston, or from the city's beach status website.