They were really trying to get people to swim in that hazmat soup of a river, without even getting it approved first.
Chicago River swim planned for September 22 not actually approved by city, City Council still considering special permits | abc7chicago.com
Despite%20promotion%20for%20the%20first%20open%20water%20swimming%20event%20in%20the%20Chicago%20River%20in%20nearly%20100%20years%2C%20it%20turns%20out%20the%20city%20has%20not%20yet%20approved%20it.abc7chicago.com
I've smelt and seen what Horween dumps in the river since I was a kid. No thanks on swimming in that. Can only imagine how much worse it used to be when there was more industry along the river.