The City Council of Chicago has introduced an ordinance to establish the Chicago Shoreline Advisory Board as outlined in a new Section 2-31-045 of the Municipal Code of Chicago. This board will consist of 13 members, including various ex officio members from city departments and five appointees from nongovernmental organizations, selected by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. The board will be tasked with developing and updating a shoreline management plan, creating a shoreline emergency response plan, advising on policies and appropriations related to the shoreline, recommending legislation for shoreline protection, and facilitating public education on shoreline issues. The members from governmental entities will serve terms that coincide with their public service, while the nongovernmental appointees will serve staggered terms of two or four years.

The ordinance specifies that the board will meet at least quarterly and that a majority of members will constitute a quorum. The board's duties include collaborating with the Army Corps of Engineers, the State Department of Natural Resources, and city departments to manage the shoreline effectively. The ordinance emphasizes the importance of preventative and proactive solutions, community involvement, and evidence-based approaches to protect the shoreline. It also highlights the need for efficient and effective use of city resources in these efforts. The ordinance will take effect immediately upon passage.