Life Rings & Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act

Pursuant of the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act (430 ILCS 175/),  life rings, cabinets, and signage, has been installed in designated areas along the lakefront. 

Lakefront Drowning Report

Per the Act, each unit of local government owning a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan shall track and, at a minimum of twice per year, publish on the unit's website a report on lakefront drownings of which the unit is aware that have occurred within 100 feet of the unit's piers and drop-offs.

View the Report

Life Ring Locations

• Lighthouse Beach
• Clark Street Beach
• Evanston Dog Beach
• Church Street Boat Ramp
• Greenwood Street Beach
• Dempster Street Beach and Sailing Facility
• Lee Street Beach
• South Blvd. Beach

Tampering or Misuse of Life Rings

On February 27, 2023, Evanston City Council adopted Ordinance 17-O-23 which amends City Code 7-11-6, “Regulations on City Beaches” to prohibit tampering with life rings. 

"No person shall remove, disable, or destroy any life preserver, life ring, personal flotation device or other safety equipment located on or at any bridge, beach, pier, dock, groin, break wall, drop-off, or in any place where such safety equipment is required by law, except for use in an emergency. This prohibition does not apply to those persons responsible for maintaining and inspecting ring life buoys." Violators are subject to a fine of not more than $500.

How to Use a Life Ring

1. If possible, send someone else to call 911 emergency services
2. Pick-up life ring and grab the rope
3. Throw life ring beyond victim
4. Draw into victims grasp
5. Pull victim steadily to safety

Life Ring Signage

Below is an image of the signage that has been installed at each life ring cabinet location.