WBEX.org recently published an extensive article exploring Chicago's controversial red "X" program. The piece begins with an anecdote about a resident named Poppy Coleman who stumbled upon two dilapidated buildings adorned with large metal signs featuring a bright red "X." Intrigued, she sought answers, setting off a chain of events that would eventually uncover the story behind these mysterious markings.
The red "X" signs have become a familiar sight across Chicago, with nearly 2,000 now scattered throughout the city. Online forums are filled with residents speculating about what the symbol represents—whether it signifies a condemned building, a vacant lot, or perhaps something for sale. What many don't realize is that this initiative, originally designed to protect firefighters and others from hazardous structures, has hit a roadblock due to funding issues.
The origins of the program date back to December 22, 2010, when tragedy struck during a fire at a long-abandoned laundromat in the South Shore neighborhood. Firefighters searching for squatters encountered structural failures, resulting in the deaths of two firefighters and injuries to 19 others. In response, Alderman Debra Silverstein introduced two ordinances aimed at addressing the dangers posed by unsafe buildings.
Silverstein's first ordinance mandated that the Chicago Fire Department catalog buildings constructed using bowstring trusses, which are particularly vulnerable to collapse under fire conditions. Her second ordinance focused on identifying and marking all potentially dangerous structures within the city limits. To achieve this, officials adopted the use of rectangular metal signs displaying a bold red "X," a symbol borrowed from fire departments in New York City and elsewhere. This design stems from a federal initiative for labeling vacant buildings.
However, not every vacant or abandoned building qualifies for a red "X." These signs serve as a warning that a structure is structurally compromised and poses significant risks to anyone entering, especially emergency responders. Since the implementation of Silverstein's ordinance in June 2012, the Chicago Fire Department has installed 1,804 red "X" signs. While this number represents progress, it falls far short of the approximately 5,000 vacant properties officially recorded by the city—a mere fraction of the estimated total number of empty and derelict buildings in Chicago.
Larry Langford, a spokesperson for the Chicago Fire Department, acknowledges that while the current count is encouraging, much work remains. Initially, the Department of Buildings provided a preliminary list of several hundred severely deteriorated properties, but the final decision regarding which structures warranted signage rested with individual aldermen and their offices. Unfortunately, despite efforts to revitalize these spaces, only one building has undergone successful rehabilitation and had its red "X" officially removed after two years.
Funding challenges have further complicated matters. The city initially secured $675,000 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters grant program to cover the costs associated with establishing the red "X" program. Local contractors AGAE Contractors and M-K Signs received most of this funding, and records indicate that the entire sum was expended over just thirteen months beginning in June 2012. No new signs have been added since July 2013, leaving many questions unanswered about the future of this vital safety measure.
This program, intended to safeguard lives, now faces uncertain prospects without additional financial support. Its limitations highlight broader systemic issues within urban planning and resource allocation, sparking debates about how best to address Chicago's growing inventory of neglected real estate. As residents continue to ponder the meaning behind each red "X," they also grapple with the larger implications of urban decay and resilience in America's third-largest metropolis.
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