Mild earthquake reported in Lake Michigan off the shore of northern suburbs, officials say

Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune on Jul 8, 2026

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A mild earthquake occurred off the shore of the northern suburbs Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

A 2.9 earthquake was recorded in Lake Michigan near the Illinois-Wisconsin border at around 2:38 p.m., the United States Geological Survey reported.

The earthquake, which stretched about 3.1 miles deep, took place 13.8 miles northeast of Evanston, officials said.

USGS in a tectonic summary online wrote that most of North America east of the Rocky Mountains has infrequent earthquakes.

“Most of the enormous region from the Rockies to the Atlantic can go years without an earthquake large enough to be felt, and several U.S. states have never reported a damaging earthquake,” officials stated.

Wilmette Village Manager Michael Braiman reported Wednesday afternoon that he was “checking” with public safety teams about earthquake damage but had not heard of any reports of injured boaters or swimmers.

Village of Winnetka Communications Manager Josie Clark told the Chicago Tribune, “At this time, we are not aware of damage or injuries related to the earthquake.”

Glencoe Village Manager Philip Kiraly said there were “no reports of damage, nor were there any 911 calls reporting the earthquake or any damage.”

Most earthquakes in North America east of the Rockies, per USGS, occur as faulting within bedrock, usually miles deep.

Earlier this year, USGS reported a 3.8 magnitude earthquake near Ohlman in central Illinois.

According to the Illinois State Geological Survey, earthquakes occur in Illinois about once every year. A 3.8-magnitude earthquake occurred in Indiana on June 17, 2021, but was also felt by Chicago residents. The last damaging earthquake happened in downstate Illinois in June 1987.

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Pioneer Press reporter Claire Murphy contributed.

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