The Illinois House has approved the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act, requiring the placement of life rings along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
This was the result of the drowning of death of 19-year-old Miguel Cisneros off Pratt Pier last August.
Rogers Park Alderwoman Maria Haddon, after the incident, said, "We've been working for a couple of years trying to get the Chicago Park District to care about safety of swimmers along the lakefront. We've been asking for life rings. The Chicago Park District has been blocking us with legal concerns."
After the incident, a citizen took it upon himself to install life rings, but they were later removed three times by the Park District.
It has long argued there's a liability risk.
Ultimately, the Park District did decide life rings would be installed in a pilot program next month.
If the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act, from State Representative Kelly Cassidy becomes law, it will make the pilot program permanent.
