The Block Club Chicago Podcast
The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans. New episodes Tuesdays, Thursdays, or whenever a BIG story breaks.
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
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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 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
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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
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"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.
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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
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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
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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 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
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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
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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.<...
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
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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
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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 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
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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
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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 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
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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 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
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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
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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 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
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicat...
She Taught Her Own HS Chem Class, Now She's Headed To Her Dream College
As her senior year got underway, two of the many people who reached out to Carolina Carchi were teachers she’d had in elementary school.
“You were amazing when I had you, and you are still showing them how to turn a terrible experience into an amazing opportunity to learn and grow,” one wrote.
Another wrote: “I. AM. SO. PROUD. OF YOU!!!!… You are AMAZING! I was so proud and not at ALL surprised.”
Carchi received these and dozens of other messages praising and encouraging her after a Block Club story revealed she had taught h...
Chicago's Rich History of Political Nepotism
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 development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media. Ground-level coverage Our neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this ground-level app...
The Flashy Fugitives: Ex-Loretto Hospital Leader And Contractor Are Living Large In Dubai
Entrepreneurs and doctors Anosh Ahmed and Sameer Suhail had matching cars, a matching taste for luxury watches and matching condos in Chicago’s Trump Tower.
The two even had similar backstories: They’d immigrated to the United States as children — Ahmed from Pakistan and Suhail from Jordan — and had gotten their medical degrees from overseas schools and built up images of themselves as entrepreneurs flush with cash.
Now, they have another thing in common: They’re fugitives — flashy ones.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Kelly Bauer
Want to donate to o...
O'Hare's Bees Give A Second Chance To Formerly Incarcerated Chicagoans
Boeing 737s and Airbus A350s aren’t the only things taking flight at O’Hare Airport.
A quiet patch of green space at O’Hare has been home to a collection of beehives for almost 15 years. In 2011, O’Hare became the first airport in the United States to have an apiary. Since then, the hives have produced thousands of pounds of honey.
Host- Jon Hansen
Reporter - Molly DeVore
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago i...
The Chicago Way -- Powerful Alderman Resigning, And His Son Wants The Gig
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Melody Mercado
One of Chicago’s most influential aldermen, Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) is stepping down by the end of the month to lead the Chicago Housing Authority — or retire from politics entirely. His son wants the job.
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 deserve to be...
The Lightning Bugs Are Back This Year -- But Will This Be Their Curtain Call?
Swarms of flying insects are usually a nuisance. But this summer, Chicagoans are lighting up for a big return of lightning bugs.
The flying beetles known for their bioluminescence are keeping the lights on across the city — more so than past summers, local bug experts have observed.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Mack Liederman
Read More Here
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reli...
This Episode May Save Your Life -- Important Clues To Recognize A Stroke
Chicago hospitals have been key to helping more people surviving strokes. Today's episode, sponsored by Rush, explains what signs to watch out for, and how the hospital systems continues to improve outcome for patients.
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Dr. Laurel Cherian
More About 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...
Some Chicago Officials Want ICE Agents To Take Off Their Masks
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Francia Garcia Hernandez
A group of police district council members is urging city officials to prohibit federal immigration agents from wearing face masks and force them to identify themselves when working in the city.
The call comes as masked federal agents have been seen making arrests at immigration courts, during routine immigration check-ins and in raids in the city, a trend seen nationwide. California state lawmakers have proposed similar state legislation, known as the “No Secret Police Act,” that has yet to be approved.
READ MORE...
Chicago's Sunniest Month Is Here — Don't Let It Ruin Your Skin
Today's episode is sponsored by Rush.
July is Chicago's sunniest month. But be careful -- it can age our skin and potentially cause skin cancer. Dr. Samantha Venkatesh from Rush with some useful tips to stay safe and enjoy the sunshine.
For more on Rush, 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 neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in...
WTF Is Banana Ball And Why Is It The Hottest Ticket In Chicago?
The hottest ticket for a game in town isn’t for the Chicago Cubs or White Sox.
A new barnstorming league of dancing ballplayers making national headlines and packing football stadiums for reimagining the stodgy rules of America’s pastime have sold out Sox Park for two nights between Aug. 15-16.
More than 182,000 people applied to a lottery just for the chance to buy tickets to see the Savannah Bananas play one of their traveling foils, The Firefighters, at Sox Park for the debut of “Banana Ball” in Chicago this summer.
Host - Jon Hans...
Why Lake Michigan Has Fallen Nearly 4 Feet Since 2020
Lake Michigan set a record high in 2020. In Edgewater, the low lake levels have connected two popular beaches while also exposing a protected dunes area to beachgoers. In South Shore, neighbors are relieved the high waters aren’t threatening their buildings.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Madison Savedra
This episode sponsored by Rush
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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...
Sidetrack Could Become The First Gay Bar In An American Airport
Sidetrack, the city’s largest and arguably most popular gay bar, has applied to open a location at O’Hare Airport — a move that, if approved, would make it the first gay bar inside an airport in the United States.
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 believe all nei...
Ex-Loretto Hospital Executive Charged With Stealing $300 Million Through COVID Testing Scams
The former Loretto Hospital executive charged with stealing millions from the safety-net hospital also used fake COVID-19 testing companies to steal about $300 million from the government, prosecutors alleged in a newly unsealed indictment.
Former Loretto COO and CFO Anosh Ahmed is among a group of four who now face charges related to the scheme, prosecutors said.
Block Club has reported extensively on Ahmed’s troubling conduct at Loretto Hospital, from letting well-connected people access COVID-19 vaccines early — and even bragging he vaccinated Eric Trump — to contracting with companies owned by his business partner, best friend and ne...
Trump Says ICE Is Cracking Down In Chicago — But The City Vows To 'Resist'
The Chicago No Kings rally comes as protests have ramped up against ICE and the Trump administration this week locally and in Los Angeles, where the National Guard and Marines have been deployed against the wishes of local leaders.
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Francia Garcia Hernadez
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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...
Chicago Is Sinking More Than Most Cities. Here's Why.
Chicago is the fifth-fastest-sinking major city in the United States, according to a new study. While the city is only sinking by a few millimeters every year, experts say the shift could damage buildings and other infrastructure.
Reporter - Molly DeVore
Host - Jon Hansen
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 deserve t...
