Lake View Residents Warn of More Sonic Booms After 4 Buildings' Windows Shattered
Updated
Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 13
Lake View Residents Warn of More Sonic Booms After 4 Buildings' Windows Shattered
3 articles · Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 13
Summary
Lake View residents said they fear another sonic boom at Chicago’s Air and Water Show this weekend after last year’s Thunderbirds practice allegedly rattled high-rises and shattered windows in four lakefront buildings.
Four condo buildings on North Lake Shore Drive and Marine Drive reported first-floor damage after the 2025 rehearsal, though the Air Force denied its jets went supersonic and an aeronautics expert told the Sun-Times the videos indicated they did.
Bennett Lawson, the 44th Ward alderperson, said he and neighboring alderpersons pressed the city for added safeguards and still expect precautions to keep this year’s event safe.
The Thunderbirds and Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications did not answer questions about what measures, if any, are being taken before the Saturday-Sunday show at North Avenue Beach.