CITYWIDE — Residents of Chicago are experiencing extended closures of local pools, causing frustration as summer heat sets in.
Among those affected is David Kuta, who normally enjoys water aerobics at the geodesic dome pool in his 40-story building at 400 E. Randolph St.
“This is how I workout. I’m over 50 — I do water aerobics. I don’t lift weights,” Kuta stated.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has shut down over a dozen pools this year due to drain cover issues, with Kuta emphasizing that this has created significant inconvenience for swimmers.
Both Kuta and countless other Chicagoans are part of a growing list of residents impacted by these closures, with 16 pools shut down for drain cover complications and another 16 facing closure for various other infractions, including chlorine level issues and equipment failures.
A spokesperson for the health department highlighted the transfer of pool inspection responsibilities from the City of Chicago to the state, a decision made to accommodate the increased workload from hosting the Democratic National Convention.
This shift has led to a backlog in inspections that is draining the patience of residents eager to access their buildings’ pools.
Certain prominent pools, such as the one at 175 N. Harbor Drive Downtown and the Halsted Flats at 3740 N. Halsted Ave. in Lakeview, are among those currently closed.
While the IDPH has not provided a comprehensive list of all closed pools, they confirmed that 11 of the 16 pools shut down for drain cover issues remain closed.
The safety regulations requiring safer pool drain covers were established in response to incidents like the tragic death of the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker in 2008, which led to the development of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act.
Though an update in 2017 allowed pools with 2008-compliant drain covers to continue using them until expiration, many pools must now replace aging drain covers that do not meet current standards.
Jacob Martin, a spokesperson with the Chicago Department of Public Health, explained that the city had previously overseen a large number of pool inspections before transferring most responsibilities to the state in 2024.
Contractors and building managers lament the complex and often frustrating state inspection process, expressing concern that it significantly delays even simple maintenance tasks like replacing drain covers.
Several city and suburban-based pool contractors, who spoke anonymously to avoid possible repercussions, indicated that the current permitting process is discouraging enough that some may consider relocating their businesses out of Illinois.
One contractor described the situation succinctly, stating, “The state is a nightmare. I want to move because I can’t stand doing business here. This year, I have done not one commercial job because of the permitting process.”
When a pool is shut down due to drain cover compliance, it necessitates multiple visits from state public health inspectors before it can reopen.
This bureaucratic requirement, along with the need for architectural and engineering plans, contributes to ongoing delays.
Compounding the issue, Illinois has only a small number of inspectors tasked with overseeing over 3,000 pools statewide, leading to significant backlogs at the IDPH, as noted by many building managers and contractors.
A contractor lamented, “IDPH needs to hire more people and get them in there. But also, make the process a little bit easier. It’s getting worse, not better.”
Building managers reported wait times for inspections extending from two to four months, with some being informed that hundreds of pools were queued ahead of them.
For many residents, pools are vital amenities, greatly enhancing their living experience.
Sandy Werner, a resident of 175 N. Harbor Drive, expressed her frustration as a frequent pool user, particularly during children’s visits.
“There’s never been a problem with the pool. We use it a lot. And I’m sad it’s not open,” Werner shared.
Building management has kept residents informed through emails, indicating that the pool is closed due to new state mandates requiring specialized drain covers.
Notably, the email highlighted that permit approval may take two to four months due to the backlog resulting from the new requirements.
In an effort to mitigate residents’ disappointment, the building has offered discounted gym memberships with access to nearby pools and a limited number of passes for neighboring buildings featuring pools.
At Halsted Flats, an outdoor pool closure since October 2024 has been a source of significant frustration for residents, who regard the pool as a key amenity.
“It’s a centralized hub,” one resident lamented. “To take that pool down stinks. It’s a big amenity and a big loss.”
Even though the pool was finally set to open in August, another resident expressed dissatisfaction with the management’s handling of the closure, citing a lack of communication during the 10-month wait and expressing concern over a looming rent increase despite the absence of one of the major amenities.
“I feel like our building has reacted with a giant shrug and a passing of the buck, without an ounce of sympathy,” she stated.
An email from building management laid blame on the state’s backlog, detailing the extended timeline of their permitting process, which depicted a protracted struggle between contractors and the state lasting nearly a year.
“We’re ready when they are,” read the email’s subject line, highlighting the building’s willingness to re-establish access to the pool once the state permits are secured.
As residents endure prolonged waits for pool access, the broader impact of these delays becomes clear, highlighting the need for streamlined processes and more resources dedicated to public health inspections.
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