Residents in Lake View, Chicago faced unexpected disruptions as their condo windows shattered during practice runs for the upcoming Air and Water Show. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, strong vibrations from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds on Friday led to damage in buildings situated on blocks of North Lake Shore Drive. Anna Brailovsky, a local resident, described the sensation as earthquake-like, noting that it was an unprecedented experience despite her years living there.
The incidents occurred around 10 a.m. and then again at 3:30 p.m., coinciding with the practice schedule of the Thunderbirds, during their maneuvers, the building shook and windows in the lobby shattered, as Brailovsky told the Chicago Sun-Times. Another resident of a different building on the 3600 block remarked that the impact was like a massive jolt. This left the patio doors broken. There was also a sense of shock and uncertainty as this occurrence was a first for many long-term inhabitants.
Further details from an ABC7 Chicago report included a resident's testimony that the jets were flying low, and a loud boom was heard at the same time glass broke. James Baran, a witness and building board member, recounted his close encounter with the shattering glass, expressing how forcefully the building was impacted by the flyover. Both incidents, now under scrutiny, led to shattered windows in the lobbies of the affected buildings, and no injuries have been reported.
Despite reports from residents that suggested otherwise, an Air Force spokesperson claimed that the Thunderbird jets did not reach supersonic speeds during their practice runs. This statement was shared with both the Chicago Sun-Times and ABC7 Chicago. Residents affected by the shattered windows are now grappling with questions of accountability and seeking answers from building management and city officials regarding the damage, which is estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Ald. Bennett Lawson's office has received complaints and is actively investigating the matter alongside other city agencies, according to reports from both publications.
