WBEX.org published a detailed article explaining Chicago's red "X" program, which has raised questions among residents and sparked concern over public safety.
While walking through her Logan Square neighborhood, Chicago resident Poppy Coleman noticed two old buildings marked with large red "X" signs. Curious about their meaning, she began to investigate — and soon found herself uncovering a city-wide initiative that had gone largely unnoticed by the public.
Since 2012, nearly 2,000 red "X" signs have appeared across Chicago. These markings are meant to signal that a building is structurally unstable, posing a risk to firefighters and others. However, many people remain confused about what the symbol actually means. Are these buildings condemned? Vacant? For sale? The answers aren't always clear.
The program was originally created in response to a tragic incident in 2010. On December 22 of that year, firefighters searching for squatters in a burning laundromat on East 75th Street were caught in a sudden collapse. A wall fell, followed by the roof, killing two firefighters, Edward Stringer and Corey Ankum, and injuring 19 others.
In the wake of this tragedy, 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein introduced two ordinances aimed at improving firefighter safety. The first required the fire department to catalog buildings with bowstring truss construction, a type known for its vulnerability during fires. The second aimed to identify and mark all dangerous structures throughout the city.
To visually indicate risk, the city adopted the red "X" symbol, commonly used by fire departments in New York City and other major U.S. cities. This marking system is also part of a federal program designed to flag vacant properties.
However, not every vacant or abandoned building receives a red "X." Only those deemed structurally unsound are marked. Despite the initiative’s good intentions, the program has faced financial challenges.
Funded initially by a $675,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the project ran out of money after just 13 months. Most of the funds went to local contractors, and no new signs have been added since July 2013.
Although the Chicago Fire Department has placed 1,804 red "X" signs since the program began in 2012, this number remains far below the city's total number of vacant buildings. The process for rehabilitating these properties is complex, and only one building has been successfully restored and had its sign removed.
Despite the progress made, the program’s future remains uncertain. As more buildings fall into disrepair, the need for continued efforts to protect both residents and emergency responders becomes even more urgent.
Thanks, Dan.
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