The Block Club Chicago Podcast
The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans. New episodes Tuesdays, Thursdays, or whenever a BIG story breaks.
Chicago's Flu Season Is Here -- Is It Too Late To Protect Yourself?
On today’s podcast, sponsored by Rush, epidemiologist Dr. Michael Lin on what we’re in for this flu season, and if it’s too late to protect yourself.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Dr. Michael Lin
More on Rush HERE
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way.
...Is Chicago Closing In On A Government Shutdown?
A group of 27 alderpeople introduced a set of alternative budget proposals to City Council that would scrap a corporate head tax. Mayor Brandon Johnson has doubled down on his support of the idea. Are we headed toward a government shutdown?
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Quinn Myers
Read More Here
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe a...
‘Lying Constantly’ - How The Feds Used Propaganda During Midway Blitz
Homeland Security has sought to reshape violent encounters into triumphant narratives — even as judges, journalists and experts said the agency has repeatedly distorted facts, misled the public and attacked those who challenged its story.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Patrick Filbin
Read More Here
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We...
Financial Crimes Have Become 'The New Wave' In Chicago -- What to Know
Today's podcast is a field trip to the Chase Bank South Shore Community Center at 6650 S. Stony Island Ave. The branch was established to be a place for all neighbors to gather nearly five years ago. Today we attend a forum on fraud prevention, and see how neighbors are buying into the community center, and learning important tips to avoid scammers this holiday season.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guests - Jared Evans, Chase Community Manager; CPD Detective John Madden
More on Chase's Community Banking Here
Block Club's Coverage of the branch o...
He Started His Own Postal Service Delivering And Reading Mail For Free
A whimsical yet very serious public art project by Logan Square artist Charlie Dean is gaining traction as an alternative to a paid postal service, designed to be used for monumental conversations or difficult news that need softening.
Host - Iridian Fierro
Guest - Charlie Dean
Read More Here
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods d...
The Ultimate Guide To Shopping Local In Chicago For The 2025 Holidays
Block Club reporters are putting the spotlight on small, locally owned businesses, which are offering everything from jewelry to toys, books, self-care items, clothing and more during the holidays.
THE ENTIRE GIFT GUIDE
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way.
We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council m...
Hop On The Bears Bandwagon! They May Be Good Or Might Kinda Suck
The Bears are 8-3. If you haven't been paying too much attention, now would be a great time to hop on the Bears bandwagon.
But guard your heart. They might not be as good as their record suggests.
Mark Carman from the CHGO Bears Podcast and WGN Radio breaks it all down.
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all ne...
Breast Cancer Diagnoses Are Up -- But More Women Are Surviving Than Ever
On today’s Block Club Chicago podcast, sponsored by Rush, Dr. Dipti Gupta on what women, and men, should know about breast cancer, and how Rush is trying to reach all communities in our city.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Dr. Dipti Gupta
More on Rush Here
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neigh...
“This Budget Is A Disaster” -- The Committee That Told The Mayor 'No'
The City Council’s finance committee on Monday voted against Mayor Brandon Johnson’s latest 2026 budget proposal, throwing what some alderpeople have characterized as an already-strained negotiations process into further uncertainty.
After a few hours of debate over a proposed corporate head tax as well as borrowing plans and other issues, the finance committee voted decisively against the budget’s revenue ordinance.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Quinn Myers
Read More Here
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Who we are
Bloc...
No, Groupon Isn't Dead. It's Still Based In Chicago And Growing Again.
The Groupon story is personal to many Chicagoans. The company at one point was located in the former Montgomery Ward Warehouse along the banks of the Chicago river.
On today’s Block Club Chicago podcast, sponsored by Groupon, we turn the page to the next chapter - Mike Tepeli from Groupon on what’s next for this still Chicago-based company, and we hear from a small business that exists because of Groupon, and is seeing big results from their current partnership with the company.
More On Groupon
More On Get A Grip Trapeze
It Was A Celebrity Hangout. It Closed. Workers Say They Weren't Paid
A once high-profile Italian restaurant in Fulton Market is facing legal and financial troubles, with records showing more than $400,000 in unpaid rent, vendor bills, taxes and wages, even as its owner tries for a comeback.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Melody Mercado
Read More Here
For More On Chase for Business, Coaching For Impact, Click HERE
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and n...
The Rink On 87th Has Been A Haven For 50 Years
The Rink, 1122 E. 87th St., has been a haven for South Side skaters for 50 years. As one skater says as he rolls by, “Everybody’s welcome. No one is invited.”
This year, owners and married couple Curtis and Ramona Pouncy hosted a glow-in-the-dark mural contest in honor of The Rink’s 50th anniversary. Artists were asked to create an image that captured what The Rink means to them and the community. A mural celebrating “The Rink Way” now lights the floor under red and green lights.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Atavia Reed
Re...
What Would Happen If Chicago Got Nuked?
In “A House of Dynamite,” the U.S. nuclear defense apparatus is caught off-guard by a single intercontinental ballistic missile, which is fired from an unknown point of origin and is headed toward Chicago.
What do experts say would happen if this played out in real life?
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Clint Worthington
Read Clint's Story Here
Check out NUKEMAP Here
More on Thursday's event Here
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Who we are
Block...
Can Judges Curb ICE’s Operation Midway Blitz?
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis took the unusual step of ordering Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino to appear in court every day to report on “use of force incidents” after a series of tear gassings in Chicago neighborhoods flouted her past orders.
On Wednesday, less than two hours before Bovino — the head of Trump’s Chicago immigration crackdown — was set to appear before Ellis for his first check-in, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals put a temporary halt to the judge’s order.
On today's podcast, federal defense attorney Mike Leonard on the role of f...
Why Are Chicago Men So Afraid To Go To The Doctor?
65% of men say they avoid seeking medical attention as long as possible
Only 3 in 5 men go for their annual physical.
And in Chicago, men are 10% less likely to have a primary care provider compared to women. And die 6 years earlier than women on average.
On today’s Block Club Chicago podcast, sponsored by Rush, doctor Zachary Glaser from Rush University's Department of Urology, on how 'Movember' can make a difference.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Dr. Zachary Glaser, Rush University Medical Center
Want to...
What's Up With The Obama Presidential Center?
With the Obama Presidential Center set to open next year, Maxwell Evans joins the podcast to discuss the long journey for the center, how neighbors feel as it nears completion, and if people really think it looks kind of ugly.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Maxwell Evans
Read More Here
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe al...
A Chicago Teen Had Just Returned From Chemo -- Then ICE Arrested Her Dad
When 16-year-old Ofelia Torres’ father called from the Broadview ICE facility to say he had been taken by four masked federal immigration agents, the teen’s mother was at home helping drain the small IV port that keeps Ofelia nourished and alive during Stage 4, while the teenager showed her cousins how the small medical contraption worked.
For almost a year, Ofelia Torres, a student at Lake View High School, has been receiving treatment for a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She had been home from the hospital for less than a day when the call came Satu...
Meet The ICE Resistance -- Cameras, Whistles, And Neighborhood Rapid Response Teams
Hundreds of people showed up Tuesday night at events across the Northwest and West sides to assemble whistle kits that Chicagoans can use to alert neighbors when immigration enforcement agents are nearby.
The events came as Chicagoans are increasingly looking for ways to peacefully resist federal operations Midway Blitz and At Large, immigration enforcement programs that kicked off in September.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Francia Garcia Hernandez
Block Club Chicago's ICE Coverage
Block Club’s team knows how confusing and fast immigration news is hitting Chicago as Op...
Judge Blocks Trump’s National Guard Push Into Chicago -- For Now
A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order Thursday against National Guard Troops mobilized this week in Illinois against the will of state and local officials.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Mike Leonard, Federal Defense Attorney
Judge Partially Blocks Trump’s National Guard Mobilization To Chicago
Judge Rules Feds Can’t Pepper-Spray, Tear-Gas Journalists After Block Club Chicago And Others Sue
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organi...
The Most Chicago Thing That's Ever Happened To Me Was _____
Live from Saturday's Block Club Chicago Block Party at Half Acre, we wanted to know the most Chicago thing that's ever happened to you! Thank you all for coming to the event!
Hosts - Jon Hansen, Iridian Fierro
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way.
We amplify positive stories, cover d...
Babe’s Giving Women’s Sports Fans In Chicago A Place To Call Home
After a crowdfunding campaign, a full interior overhaul and rummaging through a ton of sports memorabilia, a highly-anticipated women’s sports bar is now open in Logan Square.
Babe’s Sports Bar at 3017 W. Armitage Ave. had a soft opening Saturday after nearly a year of renovations, creating a space for fans of women’s professional sports, said bar owner Nora McConnell-Johnson.
Host - Iridian Fierro
Read More Here
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) no...
Private Fences Put Up Around A Public Park -- And Neighbors Aren't Happy
Michele Dreczynski has fond memories of her son riding bikes through the park by her riverside townhouse “completely free and untethered.”
That was before the park — with city-mandated public hours — was fenced in by her homeowner association.
Metal gates at River Village North Townhomes, 1005 N. Kingsbury St., have gone up near West Hobbie and Oak streets, completing the fencing around the small, manicured park along the Near North Side riverwalk.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Mack Liederman
Read More Here
Want to donate to our non-prof...
"In Order To Win, You Have To Lose A Lot" -- Meet The Man Building A Racket Sport Empire
Today's episode, sponsored by Chase For Business, highlights the story of Chris Clark and his growing racketball empire - Toss and Spin.
Joining Chris on the podcast is Mikal Quarles, the visionary behind the "Coaching For Impact" program that teams up small business owners with Chase coaches to help their businesses grow.
Today's episode was recorded Thursday at Chase For Business' 'Make Your Move' Summit at the Salt Shed, which continues Friday, downtown.
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago i...
Meet The Voice Of The CTA -- 27 Years And Counting
It’s been 27 years since a Milwaukee man strolled into a Chicago studio to record the thousands of directions, delays and warnings that still move the nation’s third-largest city.
Lee Crooks, “The Voice of the CTA” who tells “L” and bus riders what stop is coming and on which side the doors open, doesn’t have much to say about the fact that most people still don’t know the name behind the recordings.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Lee Crooks
Read More Here
Want to donate to our no...
CPS Fights Trump's Anti-DEI Efforts -- For Now
CPS said in a letter to the U.S. Department of Education it would not walk back the rollout of its Black Student Success Plan or change its policies related to transgender students until a federal investigation is completed.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat
Read More Here
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe a...
Why NIMBYs Often Win Neighborhood Battles
Development fights are often won or lost in the community meeting. And so-called (though some would argue unfairly labeled) NIMBYs are often at the meetings in force, and can kill a project or fight for a compromise. Quinn Myers details some battles he's covered, and Madison Savedra is in the midst of a fight brewing on the North Side over a gigantic zoning change with huge consequences.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporters - Quinn Myers, Madison Savedra
Read More Here
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This Scuba Diver On A Boat With No Name Finds Your Stuff In The Lake
Yohei Yamada reunites boaters with valuables they’ve dropped into the lake — from cellphones to wedding rings and Rolex watches. In the water is also where he is finding himself again.
Host - Iridian Fierro
Reporter - Mack Liederman
Read More Here
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way.<...
Anthony Rizzo Back On The Cubs -- For One Day
Anthony Rizzo, one of the most beloved Chicago Cubs in recent memory, announced his retirement from baseball Wednesday morning — and he’s doing so as a Cub.
The 14-year MLB veteran, who spent a decade anchoring first base at Wrigley Field, will work with the Cubs as an official ambassador, the team announced Wednesday.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Shamus Toomey
Read More Here
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news...
What To Know About ICE’s Operation Midway Blitz In Chicago
The surge in federal immigration raids has started in Chicago.
The surge, dubbed Operation Midway Blitz, will target undocumented people in Chicago and throughout Illinois, according to a press release issued Monday by the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporters - Quinn Myers, Francia Garcia Hernandez
Read More Here - Quinn's Story about Operation Midway Blitz
Read More Here - Francia's Story about Local Business Reaction
Read More Here - Know Your Rights
Want to...
Could AI Data Centers Drain Lake Michigan?
Data centers powering artificial intelligence are putting a strain on Lake Michigan and other local water systems, which could lead to water shortages if not addressed, according to a recent report from the Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Helena Volzer, the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ Senior Source Water Policy Manager
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's div...
How The West Side's 'Shine King' Keeps Going Even As Shoe Shining Disappears
The Austin shop carries on the legacy of its founder, James Cole, who died in 2022. But these days, employees are as likely to fix up Jordans and Uggs as they are leather dress shoes, said his son and current owner Vernon Cole.
Host - Iridian Fierro
Reporter - Michael Liptrot
Read More Here
More on episode sponsor, Rush
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant a...
A Look Inside What Some Call Chicago's "Death Hospital"
Patients and staff have reported filthy rooms, broken supplies and a flooded ER at Community First in Portage Park despite the tens of millions in taxpayer grants sent to the for-profit safety-net hospital since the pandemic.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Manny Ramos
Read More Here
More on today's sponsor, Columbia College Chicago
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Ch...
Meet The Watermelon Man, A South Side Legend With The Sweetest Melons In Town
When South Siders have a taste for the sweetest summer fruit, they know exactly where to find it: on Kenny The Watermelon Man’s truck at 83rd Street and Stony Island Avenue.
Host - Iridian Fierro
Reporter - Atavia Reed
Read More Here
For more about Columbia College Chicago - Click Here
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse nei...
Are Your Kids Sick? Pediatricians Still Battling 'Illness Of The Summer' As School Starts
As kids go back to school, pediatricians play an important role in helping students get ready for potential illnesses -- including some that have percolated throughout the summer. Pediatricians also are on the front line of helping kids deal with the emotional and mental issues that come from heading back into the classroom. Today's episode, sponsored by Rush, features pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Reinhardt.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Dr. Elizabeth Reinhardt
Read More About Rush Here
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Who we a...
The Uptown Theater Is 100 Years Old, But Will It Ever Open Again?
The Uptown Theatre has sat vacant for 44 of its 100 years. Efforts to reopen it have come and gone. A new effort carries a $190 million price tag, with funding yet to be secured. “Uptown is missing its crown jewel,” its owner said.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporters - Mack Liederman, Madison Savedra
Read More Here
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neigh...
Terrible Portrait Artist Says ‘I Have No Plan To Get Better’ -- Still A Hit In Logan Square
Logan Square farmers market attendees are flocking to a table in the boulevard to have their portrait drawn by Jacob Ryan Reno for $5 — and he’s “bewildered” as to why.
Host - Iridian Fierro
Read More Here
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way.
We amplify positive stories, cover dev...
Is It Safe To Swim In The Chicago River?
For the first time in 98 years, the Chicago River will host an open water swim event early this fall
The event — which was approved by the city after officials denied it a permit last year — takes place Sept. 21.
But is it safe to swim in the river?
Chris Anchor from the Cook County Forest Preserve weighs in.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Chris Anchor
Read More Here
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Who we are
B...
Will Chicago Close More Streets And Create More Pedestrian Malls?
In 1979, Mayor Jane Byrne transformed a nine-block stretch of state street into a pedestrian mall. It did not go well. Since then, that example has been used as a cautionary tale against turning streets into pedestrian only areas. But is the tide turning?
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Quinn Myers
Read More Here
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse n...
Could DuSable Lake Shore Drive Move Underground? There's A Plan For That
A long-awaited improvement plan for Grant Park calls for the famed park to be extended to the lakefront — with DuSable Lake Shore Drive routed underneath the expanded green space.
That is, if city officials can find the money to pull it off.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Mack Liederman
Read More Here
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's div...
Why Chicago's Affordable Housing Crisis Is Getting Worse
Why is it so expensive to build affordable housing in Chicago? One recent West Side development clocked in at $884,000 per unit. While the city says it’s working to address red tape that drives up expenses, advocates say more must be done to rein in “crazy” costs associated with affordable housing.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporters - Michael Liptrot and Ariel Parella
Read More Here
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE
Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicat...
