Podcasts about Block Club Chicago

After growing concern and anxiety about how Chicago Public Schools would close a $700 million deficit before the end of August, we finally got our first look at the district's 2026 budget proposal. We are breaking down the key points with author and professor Arionne Nettles and Block Club Chicago's Atavia Reed. Plus, will the Uptown Theatre ever get new life? Why is Illinois lowering standardized testing requirements? And, where can you get some of the city's best watermelon?  We're doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We'd be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it's only 7 minutes long. You'll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Chicago swag. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 15 episode: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Window Nation Chicago Association of Realtors Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: How A Rogue Laboratory Got People Convicted For Driving High: A forensics scandal at the University of Illinois Chicago reveals a crisis of oversight in the state's crime labs. Cubs To […]

Molly DeVore, reporter with Block Club Chicago, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for Lisa Dent, to discuss the invasive shrubs that have taken over forests across Illinois. DeVore shares that over 80 percent of all forests have these shrubs present on their floor, and what steps are being taken to find a lasting solution.

Stephanie Lulay, Executive editor and Co-Founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: Augusta On Premise Bringing Wine Bar With Small Plates, Live Jazz To Lincoln Square This Fall: The wine bar from the owners of Augusta Food & Wine will feature jazz age decor, […]

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: The Chicago Air And Water Show Returns This Weekend. Here's Everything You Need To Know: This year's show recognizes the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. Headliners include […]

Mack Liederman, Block Club Chicago Reporter joins Jon Hansen, in for Lisa Dent, to talk about Trump Tower and its struggle filling the retail space located at the lower levels of the building. Listen in while Mack discusses what could be hindering the building from filling these spaces with tenants.

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: Grace Street Greenway Will Connect RiverRun Trail To Lake With New Bike-Friendly Route: Advisory bike lanes and speed bumps will mark the nearly 3-mile corridor from Campbell Avenue to North DuSable […]

Stephanie Lulay, Executive editor and Co-Founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: Free Mini-Golf Course, Practice Facility Opens In Austin's Columbus Park: The nine-hole, artificial turf course includes a chipping green, putting greens and more short game practice opportunities. New Life Coming To CHA-Owned […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. Our small, but mighty podcast crew start the episode talking about Texas lawmakers coming to Illinois to avoid voting on a new legislative map that would favor the GOP. Governor Pritzker even went […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. Our small, but mighty podcast crew start the episode talking about Texas lawmakers coming to Illinois to avoid voting on a new legislative map that would favor the GOP. Governor Pritzker even went […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. Our small, but mighty podcast crew start the episode talking about Texas lawmakers coming to Illinois to avoid voting on a new legislative map that would favor the GOP. Governor Pritzker even went […]

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: Trader Joe's Opening In Uptown? Liquor License Requested For Former Vegan Food Hall: The popular speciality grocery chain applied for a packaged goods liquor license at 804 W. Montrose Ave., a […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. Our small, but mighty podcast crew start the episode talking about Texas lawmakers coming to Illinois to avoid voting on a new legislative map that would favor the GOP. Governor Pritzker even went […]

Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: Wicker Park's Yeti Store Closes After 6 Years In Former Double Door Space: The Yeti opening in 2019 was seen by some neighbors as the ultimate symbol of gentrification in […]

Following increased rain, families across the southwest side are dealing with neighborhood and basement flooding. However, this comes at an increasingly precarious time for FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency tasked with helping states, impacted individuals, and first responders prepare for, respond to, and recover from weather-related disasters. Block Club Chicago's Jamie Nesbitt Golden and Borderless Magazine's Aydali Campa are here to discuss the latest, including a new investigation that explores the growing costs to build affordable housing, and how the Trump administration is coming for our voter information and housing protections. Plus, more things to get excited about in August. Good News: South West Side Students Plant Trees and the Chicago Muslim Green Team Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 1 episode: Top Marks Prep – Receive 15% off when you use the link Broadway in Chicago Overlook Maps Framebridge Big Onion Hospitality – Wings for $15.25 all week at any of the Big Onion spots Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis is leaving Congress. Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg dies. Canadian wildfires cause Chicago to once again have the worst air quality in the world. Plus, the Illinois Governor is urged to declare a state of emergency for flooded neighborhoods and much more. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with NBC-5 Chicago reporter Christian Farr, Block Club Chicago reporter Francia Garcia Hernandez and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Stephanie Lulay, Executive Editor and Co-Founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: Century-Old Greystone In Lakeview To Be Demolished, But Neighbors Are Fighting To Save It: Neighbors hope to convince the developer to save the building's facade and preserve the architectural unity of one […]

Mack Liederman, Reporter, Block Club Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about a new proposal from the Chicago Park District that would move a portion of DuSable Lake Shore Drive underground. What is the likelihood this ever happens?

Mack Liederman, Reporter, Block Club Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about a new proposal from the Chicago Park District that would move a portion of DuSable Lake Shore Drive underground. What is the likelihood this ever happens?

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: Part Of DuSable Lake Shore Could Move Underground If City Extends Grant Park To Lakefront: The bold Park District plan would expand the plaza around Buckingham Fountain to the lakefront — […]

Mack Liederman, Reporter, Block Club Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about a new proposal from the Chicago Park District that would move a portion of DuSable Lake Shore Drive underground. What is the likelihood this ever happens?

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: Milwaukee Avenue In Wicker Park Will Go Car-Free Once A Month This Fall: The Meet Me On Milwaukee pilot will shut down Milwaukee Avenue between Damen and Ashland avenues to cars […]

Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: Uptown Lounge, The Popular Late-Night Bar, Now Also A Daytime Cafe: The bar, which has a 4 a.m. liquor license, is now open 7 a.m. weekdays serving coffee to commuters […]

Former ComEd CEO and Madigan confidante is sentenced to prison. O'Hare sees the busiest day ever. Vandals target immigration organizations in Little Village. NASCAR passes on another race in the Loop and Chicago Mayor Johnson introduces a new plan to snuff out smoking on CTA. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap with Block Club Chicago reporter Mack Liederman, Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel and WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Stephanie Lulay, Executive editor and Co-Founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: Winnemac Park Neighbors Blindsided After Acre Of Natural Prairie Mowed Down: Landscaping crews cut back the central patch of the park's natural area to reduce weed pressure on native perennial seedlings, park […]

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: Rosa's Lounge Launches Independent Record Label To Spotlight Chicago's ‘Unrecorded' Talent: Rosa's Lounge Records is a joint venture between the founders and artists, who will retain their music rights and license […]

Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: USPS Needed Stamps For Its 250th Anniversary. Local Cartoonist Chris Ware Delivered: Ware, a contributor to The New Yorker who began his career in Chicago's alt weeklies, designed a sheet […]

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: New North Side Red Line Stations Open After Years Of Construction, Closures: ‘We're So Excited': The new Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr Red Line stations opened Sunday to the delight […]

Congress cuts federal funding for public media. Chicago Public Schools lays off nearly 1,500 staff. Disgraced former congressman Jesse Jackson prepares for a possible comeback. And Chicago City Council fails to override a mayoral veto of the “snap curfew.” Reset breaks down those stories and more with AXIOS Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp and Block Club Chicago reporter Quinn Myers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: Proposed Law Would Require Life Vest For All Boaters After Black Yacht Weekend Drowning: The proposal would require life jackets for any and all boaters, with fines up to $500. Smoque […]

Stephanie Lulay, Executive editor and Co-Founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: As South Side Businesses Face Challenges, Some Turn To Crowdfunding To Survive: The Silver Room in Hyde Park, Woodlawn restaurant Conscious Plates and the Quarry Event Center in South Shore have leaned […]

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: Traffic Spillover From Kennedy Construction Has Been A ‘Nightmare' This Year. Can Anything Be Done?: Neighbors say traffic backups on residential streets and major thoroughfares near the expressway are worse than […]

Quinn Myers, author at Block Club Chicago, joins Jon Hansen to discuss the City Council’s vote to possibly legalize the building of coach houses. Quinn also comments on whether legalization is a potential answer to the affordable housing crisis and what to expect next from City Council.

How will the federal spending bill impact SNAP recipients in Illinois? Why are some Chicago firefighters resisting a new policy change about when individuals can enter a burning building? Why are legislators tackling who can and can't wear a mask in public? Have you noticed more lightning bugs this summer? We are answering all of these questions and more with the Chicago Reader's Micco Caporale and Block Club Chicago's Mack Liederman. Good News:  Passport Vibes Street Fest, South Side Home Movies Project 20th Anniversary, Barrio Arts Fest, Edgewater Greek Fest Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Former alderman Ed Burke was released from prison and former alderwoman Carrie Austin has been ruled too sick to stand trial. Meanwhile, current alderman Walter Burnett announced he's stepping down, city lawyers have approved more police misconduct settlements and Mayor Johnson had some harsh words for the Trump administration. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone, Block Club Chicago reporter Madison Savedra and WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: The End Of Lincoln Yards? New Developer Announces Revamped Plan For Part Of Megadevelopment: JDL and Kayne Anderson Real Estate plan to acquire the northern portion of Lincoln Yards and turn […]

Stephanie Lulay, Executive editor and Co-Founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: After Federal Agents Pay Surprise Visit To Puerto Rican Museum, Chicago Leaders Tell ICE To Get Out: At least 15 unmarked vehicles and several agents, seen wearing black and plain clothes, hung […]

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: From 12 People To 4,000: How A Free Pilates Class Took Over Oak Street Beach: Olivia Santelli began leading the Friday sunrise classes last year to help manage her depression and […]

Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: Leo High School's Choir Wowed The ‘America's Got Talent' Judges — And They're Just Getting Started: The 22 South Side students won over the famously harsh Simon Cowell and the […]

Stephanie Lulay, Executive editor and Co-Founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: 21 Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend: NASCAR Street Race, July 4th Parades, Tango Fest And More: There's also Chicago Indiepopfest at Montrose Saloon, an “Independence Day” screening at Ramova Theatre […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals star the show talking about President Trump’s tax and policy bill. The Rascals break down the latest. Do […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals star the show talking about President Trump’s tax and policy bill. The Rascals break down the latest. Do […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals star the show talking about President Trump’s tax and policy bill. The Rascals break down the latest. Do […]

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: Another Person Connected To Loretto Hospital Charged In $200 Million COVID Test Scheme: Jamil Elkoussa, 35, is charged with five counts of wire fraud, according to an indictment unsealed Monday. After […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals star the show talking about President Trump’s tax and policy bill. The Rascals break down the latest. Do […]

Last weekend's Black Yacht Weekend brought thousands of visitors to the city and Lake Michigan for dozens of events in and out of the water. Unfortunately, between tragic accidents, oversold events, and mixed reviews, it's hard to know if the weekend was a real success. WCIU TV host Brandon Pope and Block Club Chicago's Maxwell Evans are here to recap. Plus, we're discussing the future of two of the city's largest shelters, exciting news for the first South Side birthing center, and Marvel's Ironheart landing in Chicago!     Good News: Food Truck Festival, Art of Sole 2, Margarita Festival  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

A Midwest heat wave continues, Gov. JB Pritzker launches his campaign for a third term, hundreds rally for trans rights, and more. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Monica Eng, Axios reporter; Cindy Hernandez, Chicago Sun-Times general assignment reporter; Mack Liederman, Block Club Chicago reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

It's time for your favorite weekly news catch-up! This week: thousands gather for “No Kings” protests in the Chicago area, Mayor Brandon Johnson pushes back on presidential threats to increase deportations, and Chicago's City Council passes stricter teen curfew that could face a veto. Reset dives into these and other top local stories in our Weekly News Recap, with Ravi Baichwal, ABC-7 News anchor; Paris Schutz, Fox-32 political correspondent; and Francia Garcia Hernandez, Block Club Chicago reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

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 neighbor, Sameer Suhail.Ahmed and Suhail were charged in July with wire fraud, embezzlement and money laundering, with prosecutors alleging they defrauded the hospital out of $15 million. They fled to Dubai.Separately, Block Club also revealed in 2021 and 2022 that various COVID-19 testing companies were providing questionable and sometimes fake results while appearing to wrongfully seek federal reimbursements worth hundreds of millions of dollars. One of the labs highlighted by Block Club Chicago for problematic work was O'Hare Clinical Lab.Now, those stories have converged, as prosecutors say Ahmed, Mohamed “Siraj” Sirajudeen and Mahmood Sami Khan used O'Hare Clinical Lab, among others, to submit false COVID-19 testing claims to the government. They sought about $900 million in reimbursements, of which they received about $300 million.-- Host - Jon HansenReporter - Kelly Bauer Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we areBlock 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 coverageOur 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 approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a neighborhood.Stories that matter to you — every daySince our launch five years ago, we've published more than 25,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 130,000 Chicagoans. We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them. Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

The city preps for intensifying ICE raids and growing protests. CTA leadership continues to sound the alarm on potential service cuts. Uber blames tech errors for overcharging Chicagoans. Block Club Chicago's Francia Garcia Hernandez and Manny Ramos are here to break down the biggest headlines from the week. Plus, we've got coyote pups in Graceland cemetery, a Bronzeville Juneteenth celebration, and the Puerto Rican festival continues.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about our sponsors: Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE