The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Eighteen innings of baseball over nine hours in 90-plus-degree weather, with a packed train ride in between? It takes guts, a game plan, at least a few hot dogs and a high tolerance for booze and losing baseball. 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 organizat...

The so-called “Chicago accent” is one of the city’s greatest exports, alongside Italian beef, deep-dish pizza and up-and-coming sketch comedians. But most associate a particular kind of sound to the average Chicagoan. But there are actually many Chicago accents with different origins, and they span far beyond the North Side climes that soak up a lot of the cultural conversation. That reflects in t...

DIRKSEN FEDERAL COURTHOUSE — Former Ald. Ed Burke, the longest-serving alderman in Chicago history, was sentenced to two years in prison Monday, six months after he was convicted of racketeering and a suite of other crimes committed while he was in office. Federal Defense Attorney Mike Leonard explains what happened.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Quinn Myers Guest - Mike Leonard Read More Here Wan...

When Sophia Catania learned that there would be a massive invasion of cicadas in the Chicago area, she was thrilled.  That’s because she turns cicadas into jewelry.  In 2020, Catania began taking walks “as a way to stay sane” during the pandemic, she said. Her casual walks soon turned into nature walks while she looked for and observed bugs. One day, she began picking up bug carcasses and taking t...

An ordinance establishing a noise-sensitive zone around a Downtown woman’s clinic passed City Council Wednesday, ending an eight-month battle spearheaded by Ald. Bill Conway (34th). Host- Jon Hansen Reporter - Melody Mercado 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 reli...

Six years ago, a small and scrappy group of journalists refused to give up on neighborhood news, and Block Club Chicago was born. But our 6th birthday is not just a celebration of Block Club — it’salso a celebration of reader support. We wouldn’t be here without the generosity of readers like you. Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Shamus Toomey, Stephanie Lulay Donate, Subscribe, or Contribute Here Want t...

Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Mack Liederman A group of alderpeople want the state to pump the brakes on plans to redesign DuSable Lake Shore Drive and instead find ways to prioritize public transit on the city’s most famous road. Fourteen alderpeople have signed a letter to Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman and Chicago Department of Transportation President Tom Carney, ask...

The nation’s first Black tennis club started on privately owned land needs help repairing its tennis courts, and club members are looking to the public for support. The Chicago Prairie Tennis Club, 3211 S. Ellis Ave., faces a heavy financial lift as four of the courts they’ve been using for decades have fallen into disrepair.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Jamie Nesbitt Golden Read More Here Want t...

For over 120 years, the battle over fans, space and prestige in Chicago — and in the history books — has simmered between the North Side and South Side teams and their supporters. Here’s how it happened. Host - Jon Hansen Guests - Linze Rice, Shamus Toomey Read More Here About Cubs - Sox History   Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(...

The backdrop of Andersonville’s Clark Street business corridor may have evolved over the decades, but one anchor on the street has remained steadfast: an unsuspecting neighborhood bar with a large “pickled” herring neon sign hanging over the sidewalk. Simon’s Tavern, 5210 N. Clark St., has been operating for 90 years as of this spring, owner Scott Martin said. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Madison...

The city has 77 community areas -- but no officially recognized neighborhoods. A Chicago Neighborhood Project survey asked residents to define where they live. Project leader Professor Emily Talen joins the Block Club Chicago podcast to explain.  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 deliveri...

The Block Club Chicago Staff offers their summer bucket lists for 2024!   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 positiv...

Queer Fam Pride Jam returns June 2nd for its second annual edition. The LGBTQ+ family-friendly celebration will kick off Pride Month with drag performances, DJ sets, dancing, crafts, face painting, a vendor market and more. Today's episode chats with the organizers of the event. Queer Fam Pride Jam will take place 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 2 at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. This year’s event is b...

Alderpeople voted 34-14 on Wednesday to pass legislation to upend Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to phase out ShotSpotter this year. Johnson later said the vote “did nothing.” A majority of alderpeople want CTA President Dorval Carter out -- the Mayor doesn't. Are these two stories a sign of fading City Council support for the Mayor? Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Quinn Myers More on ShotSpotter Vote...

Two years after busloads of migrant children began arriving in Chicago, many have landed in schools where most don’t speak Spanish. Custodians and kindergarten teachers are taking on the role of translator, but students are still falling behind.   Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Mina Bloom Read More Here   Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 5...

Chicagoans took more than twice as many bike trips last year as they did in 2019, with increases of nearly 200 percent in some parts of the South Side, according to recent estimates. But that growth isn’t uniform, as ridership is growing more slowly on the Far South and Southeast sides — mirroring trends elsewhere on the city’s outskirts. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Maxwell Evans Read More Here W...

Mayor Brandon Johnson said the proposed $4.7 billion stadium and surrounding green space will be open to Chicago’s kids and teens, but some organizers who work with youth question what that access will actually look like. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Jamie Nesbitt Golden 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...

Mayor Brandon Johnson is finishing up his first year in office. The Block Club Chicago team examined his campaign promises, and analyzed which ones have been met, are being worked on, or have been left to the side -- for now.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Quinn Myers, Melody Mercado, Madison Savedra, Reema Amin - Chalkbeat Chicago Editor - Iridian Fierro   Want to donate to our non-profit newsroo...

Distinguished film, television, stage actor and producer (and South Side native) Harry Lennix joins 'On The Block' to discuss performing back in Chicago, and how he is turning a building on South Cottage Grove into an African-American museum and stage. Host - Jon Hansen 'On The Block' Host - Brandon Pope Reporters - Molly DeVore, Jamie Nesbitt Golden Guest - Harry Lennix   Want to donate to our no...

In Pullman, A roughly 150-year-old home the Chicago Housing Authority owns has sat vacant since 2005. Facing criticism, the CHA pledged to rehab it and others six months ago — but work hasn’t begun and it’s unclear if it ever will. In West Humboldt Park, neighbors surrounded by the drug trade are desperate for help as the house has been left empty by the CHA for seven years. But the CHA and police...

The rare double brood of Cicadas is getting close to emerging across Chicagoland, and Janelle Iaccino from Rose Pest Solution fills us in on what we need to know. She's also getting ready to make a cicada album from the incest sounds! Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Janelle Iaccino Rose Pest Solutions Website How To Protect Your Trees - Morton Arboretum Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK H...

Chicago Kalbi in Albany Park looks like an unassuming neighborhood spot until you see the lineup of stars on the wall, including Ichiro, who once ate there six nights in a row. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Dave Hoekstra Read More Here DONATE TO BLOCK CLUB ON WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit new...

A City Council committee revved up discussions Wednesday over dropping Chicago’s default speed limit from 30 to 25 mph. Transit experts and leaders with the Chicago Department of Transportation testified at a Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety hearing Wednesday that lowering speed limits could save lives and better deter fast and furious driving.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Mack Liederma...

State lawmakers proposed new legislation on Monday that would overhaul public transportation in northeastern Illinois by merging CTA, Metra and Pace under a single agency.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Manny Ramos Editor - 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 de...

35 Foxtrot and Dom's stores closed abruptly Tuesday, devastating shoppers and employees. Did the owners violate state or federal laws? While the lawsuit moves through the judicial system, some leaders are calling for stronger protections for Chicago workers.  Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Patrick Dolan, Conti & Dolan  Read More Coverage Here Additional audio from Fox 32 Coverage Want to donate to our...