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Englewood Agro-Eco District Will Boost Neighborhood Near Future Trail: ‘We Deserve Beautiful Spaces’
ENGLEWOOD — A nearly 20-year plan to create more housing, fresh food production, commercial businesses and improved public parks near a nature trail in the heart of Englewood is moving forward after resounding approval from a city board. The city’s Plan Commission voted unanimously Thursday to adopt the Englewood...
This Week In Photos: City Prepares For DNC, Street Fests Grossly Underestimate Crowds And More
CHICAGO — It’s Democratic National Convention-mania in Chicago as the city gears up for the massive political event. See what Block Club reporters captured while covering the city’s neighborhoods this week. Support Local News!. Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we...
Chicago-Centric ‘Welcome To The Show’ Brings Old-School Talk Show To Lincoln Square
LINCOLN SQUARE — Patrons walking into the The Getaway for a drink with friends may run into Derek Bish holding court with comedians, artists and even taxidermists as part of Lincoln Square’s new live talkshow. Every other Monday since mid-June, Bish’s “Welcome To The Show” has taken over...
The Best Gardeners On The Northwest Side On How To Make Your Yard Thrive
PORTAGE PARK — Multiple Northwest Siders were recognized by the Chicago Bungalow Association for their green thumbs, and these talented gardeners have advice for folks looking to grow their own habitats. The Bungalow Association’s garden contest, which is in its eighth year, recognizes gardeners across several categories like Best...
Community Fridge Debuts In Humboldt Park To Increase Access To Healthy Foods
HUMBOLDT PARK — Children and families at Humboldt Park’s Union League Boys & Girls Club now have access to fresh fruits and vegetables to enhance healthy eating habits and close the food desert gap. The club at 1214 N. Washtenaw Ave., which serves hundreds of low-income youth and...
City Installs Security Camera On Edgewater Block Hit By 5 Shootings In 4 Months
EDGEWATER — A surveillance camera and an increased police presence have been brought to an Edgewater block where a 13-year-old boy was killed this week — the fifth shooting the block has seen since May. In light of the most recent shooting, Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th) worked with...
Is Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Trying To Replace CPS CEO Pedro Martinez?
CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools staff and students could face a rocky start to the school year amid reports of a possible shake-up of the district’s top leadership. According to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Mayor Brandon Johnson is reportedly looking to replace Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, who has overseen CPS since September 2021 and recently pushed back, alongside the Chicago Board of Education, against directives from City Hall.
Portage Park Getting Upgraded Playground, Baseball Diamond, Tennis Courts And More
PORTAGE PARK — Neighbors will be able to enjoy a new-and-improved Portage Park next summer, with fresh baseball bleachers, tennis courts and pickleball courts, a renovated playground, a shade canopy for the dog park and a nature play space. The upgrades are part of several initiatives happening around the...
Music Box Theatre Teams Up With Rebuilding Exchange To Salvage 95-Year-Old Seats
LAKEVIEW — Above the giant screen in the main auditorium at the Music Box Theatre, two men leaned over the railings of a 60-foot scaffold with brushes in hand and touched up the trimming of the theater’s original proscenium arch, the smell of fresh paint in the dusty air.
New Chicago Film Symposium Celebrates And Spotlights Black Filmmakers This Weekend
SOUTH SHORE — A new film event highlighting Black filmmakers is bringing Chicago-made short films and panel discussions to South Shore this weekend. The Chicago Film Symposium is the first event of its kind organized by Black Women Directors, a digital library highlighting Black women and nonbinary filmmakers, and local film collective Black Film Club Chicago.
Antojitos Fest Returns, Showcasing Latine Comedy Talent In Chicago
CHICAGO — Antojitos Fest, Chicago’s Latin American comedy festival, returns for its second year this week, offering two days of performances that celebrate Latine culture through improv, stand-up and puppetry. This year’s festival launches with 8 and 10 p.m. shows Friday at the iO Theater, 1501 N. Kingsbury...
South Shore Line Exploring Safety Improvements In Hegewisch After Young Journalist Killed By Train
HEGEWISCH — Safety improvements could come to the pedestrian crossings at the South Shore Line station in Hegewisch after a young journalist was killed crossing the tracks last month, rail officials said. Grace Bentkowski, 22, was commuting from her Downtown job as a TV news producer to her home...
Riot Fest Announces New Chicago Schedule For Douglass Park
NORTH LAWNDALE — After announcing its return from suburban Bridgeview to Douglass Park Wednesday, Riot Fest dropped its official schedule Thursday morning. Riot Fest headliners this year include Fall Out Boy, Beck, Pavement and Slayer. In the updated schedule, the days of the performers were not expected to change,...
Block Club Chicago Finalist For 3 ONA Online Journalism Awards
CHICAGO — Block Club Chicago, a nonprofit, reader-funded newsroom focused on Chicago’s neighborhoods, is a finalist for three Online News Association Online Journalism Awards, which honor excellence in digital journalism around the world. Block Club Chicago is a finalist for The Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award...
Looking For Free School Supplies? Here Are 30+ Back-To-School Events To Check Out
CHICAGO — Chicago Public School students head back to classes on Monday, Aug. 26, and several community organizations, churches, aldermen, neighbors and others are hosting events over the next month to prepare them. Block Club Chicago rounded up more than 30 parties, festivals, block parties and other events across...
National Museum Of Mexican Art Celebrates Renovated Studio With Free Event
PILSEN — The National Museum of Mexican Art has renovated its studio and is welcoming neighbors to tour the upgraded space this weekend. The family-friendly event is 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday at the museum,1852 W. 19th St. The event is free and open to the public. Museum leaders added...
Palestinians Promise Largest Protests Ever As DNC Descends On Chicago
CHICAGO — Palestinians and organizers in Chicago have protested in the streets every week since October demanding an end to the war in Gaza. They’ve camped out on college campuses, pushed for divestment in Israeli companies and called for a ceasefire in City Council. Now, with the Democratic...
16 Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend: Sangria Fest, Antojitos Fest And Bronzeville Jazz Fest
CHICAGO — Fests, fests and more fests are on deck this weekend. There’s Sangria Fest in Humboldt Park, the return of Latin American comedy showcase Antojitos Fest, the Bronzeville Jazz Festival, PorchFest in Roscoe Village, the Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival and so much more. There’s also Latin Restaurants...
Rogers Park Tenants Forced Out By Big Rent Hike As Area Faces ‘Heartbreaking’ Housing Crisis
ROGERS PARK — After more than eight years of living in her Rogers Park garden unit, DeAnna Bastin has made the apartment a well-decorated and much-loved home. It has its flaws, like many century old Chicago apartment buildings do. There’s the chipped wood in the front door, the bathtub that feels like it’s sinking into the ground and the occasional decaying rat in the wall, she said.
Chatham’s Closed KFC Will Reopen As Baba’s Restaurant This Month
CHATHAM — A Kentucky Fried Chicken that unexpectedly closed on the South Side will soon reopen as a fast food spot known for its cheesesteak sandwiches. The building at 8307 S. King Drive has been painted bright yellow in preparation for the grand opening of Baba’s Famous Steak & Lemonade.
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