Evanston Female Lifeguards Allege On-the-Job Misconduct and Harassment

For many teens, lifeguarding is a dream summer job. But allegations of misconduct are shedding light on the darker side of the profession.

Evanston Lifeguard tower
A lifeguard chair towers over Clark Street Beach in north suburban Evanston. More than 50 female lifeguards and other beach workers signed a petition alleging widespread sexual misconduct by coworkers and bosses on the lakefront. Richard Cahan / WBEZ
Evanston Lifeguard tower
A lifeguard chair towers over Clark Street Beach in north suburban Evanston. More than 50 female lifeguards and other beach workers signed a petition alleging widespread sexual misconduct by coworkers and bosses on the lakefront. Richard Cahan / WBEZ

Evanston Female Lifeguards Allege On-the-Job Misconduct and Harassment

For many teens, lifeguarding is a dream summer job. But allegations of misconduct are shedding light on the darker side of the profession.

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Recently the Chicago Park District, and now the city of Evanston, are facing disturbing allegations by lifeguards of ongoing sexual harassment and abuse on-the-job.

WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos broke the story this past Friday. The following night, Evanston’s City Council hastily scheduled and held a meeting to discuss sexual misconduct allegations made by well over 50 female lifeguards and beach employees.

Reset dives into allegations of misconduct and harassment among lifeguards in Evanston and Chicago.  

GUEST: Dan Mihalopoulos, WBEZ investigative reporter