"Blamed in part on climate change, the threat of water ponding in your yard or your basement is growing, a Sun-Times/WBEZ investigation has found, putting health, homes at risk."
"In a little-noticed memo early last year, Illinois scientists made a dire prediction.
“Bulletin 76,” a communication from University of Illinois researchers, warned that intense rain made worse by climate change was going to get a lot more severe in the next 25 years.
“What is considered safe and adequate today may not hold true in the future,” they wrote of the threat to homes, buildings and people.
The threat has been building for years. Over the past century in Chicago, the likelihood of heavy rainstorms has increased sevenfold. These storms can drop more than 8.5 inches of rain in 24 hours.
Designed decades ago, Chicago’s sewers can handle just 2 inches in that short period of time before flooding becomes likely."
Brett Chase reports for the Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ May 4, 2026.
