An open-water swim is returning to the Chicago River for the first time in nearly a century, and, farther south, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal could get a new name. We asked whether you’d swim in the river and what name you’d suggest for the canal. Here’s what you told us, lightly edited for clarity.
Would you swim in the Chicago River?
“Yes, seeing the different types of gamefish being caught, the water quality is better than it’s been for a long time. Same water as Lake Michigan.”
— Billy R. Mobley
“No, because Dave Matthews.”
— Pete Gibbons
“They need to turn the flow back the other way. Its natural way. Probably clear right up.
— Sharon Knoll
“Never. Rats [might] be swimming right along with you. Seen it with my own eyes while riding in a boat.”
— Mary Ann Michaels
“No because of the Chicago Stockyards. If you’re a native, you know better.”
— Sandie Belluomini
“No. … I know that is technically clean, but I can’t get past the smell.”
— Jim Pabst
“Maybe after a tetanus shot and a way to close every single hole in my body.”
— Chris Parenti
“I was against people swimming in the Chicago River because of those big turtles.”
— Dan Keiner
What should the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal be renamed?
“The Jake and Elwood Canal, because it goes to Joliet and back.”
— Ed Floden
“The Prairie Canal.”
— James Melton
“Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The name has worked well for over 100 years. We have eliminated plenty of historic names in Chicago: Sears Tower, John Hancock Building, Standard Oil Building, Comiskey Park, etc.”
— Mark Quinn
“Ships Creek.”
— Tom Davy
“Schitt’s Creek.”
— Peter Host
“The South branch of the Chicago River. Just call it what it is.”
— Jeff Wolfe
“Daley Canal.”
— Tammy Villa
“Sell the naming rights, and use the money for water improvements.”
— Dan Keiner
“Illinois Valley Connection.”
— Patricia Simmons
“Chissippi. It joins the Chicago River to the Mississippi River system.”
— Tony Ferracane