The Block Club Chicago Podcast

On today’s Block Club Chicago podcast, sponsored by Rush, a chat with Dr. Elizabeth Simkus, diving into why it’s 'New Year, Same You.' Dr. Simkus discusses Rush's Prevention Center, and how it's unique in the city at helping you keep those goals.  Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Dr. Simkus More on the Rush Prevention Center Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chic...

On January 16th, as snow crept into the Chicago area, temperatures dropped from a high of 37 degrees, and slipped below freezing. They haven’t crept above, since. On today’s Block Club Chicago podcast, WGN-TV meteorologist Bill Snyder says it’s not your imagination — it’s been a cold winter, even by Chicago standards. But there is light at the end of tunnel, and warmth, by the end of the week.  Ho...

The former Loretto Hospital executive who is accused of embezzling millions from the hospital — and defrauding the federal government of nearly $300 million — has been arrested in Serbia. Anosh Ahmed was taken into custody in Serbia on Nov. 30. On Friday, the U.S. government requested his extradition, according to a Wednesday court filing. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Kelly Bauer READ MORE HERE Wa...

In 2008, as a recession swept across the country, cities and states were desperate for cash. Chicago looked to privatize anything it could to close its deficits. Enter, the parking meter deal. A 75-year lease that has some have called the "worst deal a city has ever made in American history." On today’s Block Club Chicago podcast, investigative reporter and editor Mick Dumke gives us the back stor...

When Tarik Shahzad spotted two patches of white among the sea of gray sandhill cranes, he knew he’d done it again. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the 28-year-old avid birder saw two whooping cranes — one of the rarest birds in North America and his 295th bird species of 2025. Seen flying over Wood Oaks Green Park in suburban Northbrook, the cranes helped Shahzad secure the top spot in the Cook County...

What a ride. On today's episode CHGO's Mark Carman on the miraculous win over the Packers. And the 'Cheese Grater Guy' joins the show! Host - Jon Hansen Guests - Mark Carman, Brandon Martinez Read More About Cheese Grater Guy Here CHGO Chicago Bears Podcast on Apple CHGO Chicago Bears Podcast on YouTube Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 5...

While homicide totals and most other violent crime figures dropped in Chicago last year, homicides that resulted from domestic violence increased by 15 percent, according to the city’s violence reduction dashboard. Advocates say the surge in violent abuse is due to “a tornado of risk factors,” including longstanding issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, such as unstable em...

How ya feeling Bears fans? Is Ben Johnson and crew ready to take a giant leap and slay the dragon that is Green Bay? Mark Carman from the CHGO Bears Podcast breaks it all down.  Read More Here CHGO Chicago Bears Podcast on Apple CHGO Chicago Bears Podcast on YouTube   Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization...

Throughout 2025, Chicago faced a barrage of attacks from President Donald Trump and other politicians painting the city as a murder-ridden hellscape needing federal — and even military — intervention. Yet as the city brought the year to a close this week, it reported its lowest number of murders in more than half a century, according to preliminary data. Quinn Myers dives into why.  Host - Jon Han...

Some of reporters, editors, and staff weigh in on the stories they loved in 2025.  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 amplif...

Midway Blitz’s aim was to “target” undocumented immigrants with serious criminal histories — “the worst of the worst,” Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said when announcing the initiative in early September. Yet, neighbors saw immigration agents detain day laborers, construction and landscaping workers and street vendors, mothers and fathers, many of w...

In the 1940s, a retired principal named Ethel Percy Andrus, learned that a former colleague of hers had been forced to live in a chicken coop because she couldn’t afford housing or medical care. That moment started her on mission to help retired people in the country. And eventually led to the start of AARP.  On today’s Block Club Chicago podcast, sponsored by AARP, we chat with the irIllinois cha...

Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday he will not veto the so-called alternative budget that passed the City Council over the weekend, despite weeks of sharply criticizing parts of the spending plan as unbalanced and harmful to working Chicagoans. The announcement comes one week before a year-end deadline to pass a balanced 2026 budget. If Johnson had issued a mayoral veto, the city ran the risk of f...

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 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 nonpartisa...

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)...

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 BECOME A BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO SUBSCRIBER Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we ar...

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 -...

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 Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) no...

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 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 n...

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 organizat...

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...

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’...

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...

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 Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE...

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....