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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: Welles Park Isn't Getting Night Game Lights Due To Neighbor Pushback, Park District Says: The Welles Park Parents Association floated its pitch to add lights at Welles Park to allow nighttime games for […]
Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provided details on: Drivers Caught On Camera Blocking Bike Lanes Downtown Could Soon Be Ticketed: Under an ordinance proposed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and alderpeople, city cameras would be used to catch drivers […]
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: Overhaul Of Bank Buildings At Damen And Lincoln Would Create Stores And 258 Apartments. Here's How Neighbors Can Weigh In: North Center’s busy intersection at Irving Park, Damen and Lincoln would […]
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: Can City Slow Down Drivers Around Grant Park? New Plan Will Consider Ways To Reduce Traffic, Officials Say: The Grant Park Framework Plan was last updated in 2002. The city is […]
Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joined Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provided details on: Baker Miller Becomes Miller Bagel, Bringing A New, Streamlined Menu To Lincoln Square: Bagels have been the cafe’s most popular item over the years, so its owners decided to narrow […]
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: Edgewater's Broadway Armory Could Get Pool Addition With Help From $2 Million In Federal Fund: Ald. Harry Osterman said he is working to secure the estimated $10 million needed to add […]
Swiss Miss Ali Fish(er) is on the pod to talk about one of the most prolific COVID testing scam sites in the country. What I didn't realize is how piecemeal our testing infrastructure was over the past 2 years, and this particular scam goes fucking nuts. How can two owners of an axe throwing range wind up as the 12th most federally funded COVID testing site in the country? Why did we regulate those testing sites as businesses and not health clinics? WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE!? I neglected to mention in the episode that all of the information is as of Jan 1, 2023. There may be more charges that befall the fraudsters, but it doesn't look like anything's coming down the pipe any time soon. But if I'm wrong, I'm wrong! That'll teach me to do anything remotely topical. SOURCES: 1. At pop-up COVID testing sites, customers report improper masking and social distancing, lengthy waits for results: ‘It’s kind of the wild, Wild West.’ - Nara Schoenberg and Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, Jan 2022 2. Center for COVID Control under investigation by Oregon DOJ, Better Business Bureau, Grace Hauck, USA Today, Jan 2022 3. COVID-19 Testing Chain Opened Pop-Ups Across The US. Now, It’s Temporarily Closing Amid Federal Investigation And Mounting Complaints, Kelly Bauer, Block Club Chicago, Jan 2022 4. MINNESOTA AG COMPLAINT AGAINST CENTER FOR COVID CONTROL, January 2022 5. OREGON AG COMPLAINT AGAINST CENTER FOR COVID CONTROL, April 2022 6. ARIZONA JUDGE RULING FOR AG COMPLAINT AGAINST CENTER FOR COVID CONTROL, July 2022 7. AG: Center for COVID Control owners barred from doing business in Washington, Fox 13 Seattle, Oct 2022 7. https://www.yelp.com/biz/studio-six-fifteen-schaumburg 8. https://web.archive.org/web/20220113035953/https://www.bullseyeaxelounge.com/2021/01/08/covid-19-diagnostic-testing/ 9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyzX0Y0VlAs&ab_channel=MichaelFigueroa 10. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10414537/Federal-probe-serial-entrepreneur-couple-cashed-COVID-testing-boom.html 11. https://figmic.medium.com/the-center-for-covid-control-scam-or-success-story-b5cdfab4f5b0 11a.
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: Recycle Your Broken Holiday Lights At These 12 Drop-Off Locations: Keep your non-working decorative lights out of a landfill by dropping them off at one of 12 locations throughout the city. […]
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: Vice President Kamala Harris Gets Smoked Fish Feast At Calumet Fisheries During Chicago Visit: Harris picked up smoked trout, salmon and fried oysters at the famed Calumet Fisheries following her […]
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 Food Stop On The Mag Mile Gives A High-Profile Showcase To Products From Across The City: The newly opened store is part of a pop-up project to bring more […]
*ABC News Law Enforcement Reporter, Luke Barr, has the latest on the arrest made in connection with the Idaho murders. *Melody Mercado from Block Club Chicago joins to discuss the city's Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and its potential. *Chicago Tribune Food Critic, Nick Kindelsperger, has the 12 Best Dishes of 2022. *Jen DeSalvo and John Howell reflect upon Jen's time in radio and their time as colleagues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
*ABC News Law Enforcement Reporter, Luke Barr, has the latest on the arrest made in connection with the Idaho murders. *Melody Mercado from Block Club Chicago joins to discuss the city's Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and its potential. *Chicago Tribune Food Critic, Nick Kindelsperger, has the 12 Best Dishes of 2022. *Jen DeSalvo and John Howell reflect upon Jen's time in radio and their time as colleagues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
*Jon Seidel from the Sun-Times discusses the judge's ruling that the end of cash bail is unconstitutional. *The Chicago Tribune's Gregory Pratt asks if a lesser-known challenger could defeat Lightfoot in the 2023 Mayoral race. *Block Club Chicago's Ariel Parrella tells the story of a community gathering behind a chihuahua after a stabbing in their neighborhood. *Plus, Jason Nathanson has this week's entertainment report, and John's team discusses a story of dog rescue & whether or not they'd do the same.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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: Wicker Park Walgreens With Iconic ‘Vitamin Vault' Closing Next Month: The store in the Noel State Bank building has become a hit with tourists and TikTok-ers for its historic architecture and […]
Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for Bob Sirott, to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: Thousands In Christmas Mass Donations Stolen From Saint Vincent De Paul Church In Lincoln Park: Saint Vincent de Paul has set up a GoFundMe page aiming […]
*Herb Scribner, Breaking News Reporter for Axios, discusses the Southwest Airlines delays and cancellations that are rampant. *ABC News' Andy Field joins the program to talk about what happens next after all of the airline troubles. *Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune's Chief Political Analyst, dives into the state GOP's analysis of election data. *Block Club Chicago's Mack Liederman talks new state laws regarding rules of the road and lost baggage amidst the Southwest crisis. *Plus, Faith Abubay has the latest on SCOTUS' ruling to keep Title 42 in place.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provided details on Bob's Pizza, Known For Its Old Style Crust And Pickle Pizza, Coming To Hyde Park's Harper Court: The “Pilsen-style” pizza joint will open in January. It’ll offer Hyde Park-exclusive recipes […]
Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joined Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus had details on: Overnight Weekend Parking Banned On Part Of Division Street In Wicker Park To Curb Partying And Crime: The trial ban starts Dec. 29 and will be in effect for at least […]
Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for Bob Sirott, to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provided details on: City's Move To Make Police Scanners Private ‘Makes Everyone's Job Harder,' Violence Prevention Groups Say: With radio transmissions set to be fully encrypted by early […]
It's our final read along of 2022, and we're so excited to be talking about KJ Charles's Band Sinister — one of Jen's favorite books (she won the coin toss when we picked which of KJ's books we were going to read). This one has all the things we love: found family, sexy rakes, gentlemen's societies, meddling sisters, anonymous gothic novelists, hot doctors, and more. We talk about how KJ writes a beautiful book, that seems to use all the necessary words and nothing more, and makes us think differently about the world and our place in it. Do yourself a favor and read it right now. This is the last traditional episode of the year — Our next full length episode will be our New Year's Eve episode and it's a doozy — we suggest putting your headphones in right now to be prepared. Thank you, as always, for listening. If you are up for leaving a rating or review for the podcast on your favorite podcasting app, we would be very grateful.Thanks to Jaye Finer, author of Jane of Battery Park, and to Lumi Labs for sponsoring the episode. Visit microdose.com and use the code FATEDMATES for 30% off your order and free shipping. Show NotesBand Sinister is a stand alone romance published by KJ Charles in 2018. If you loved it as much as we did, go read Sarah's favorite, Wanted: A Gentleman, next.Publishing is on fire, or it least it seems that way. The USA Today Bestseller List is gone, at least until further notice, but the New York Times list lives on. In other news this week, Book Forum is shutting down, and so is Buzzfeed Books. Oh, and the HarperCollins Union is on strike (we stand with them, and will not be doing deep dives of HarperCollins books until the strike is resolved). So what we want to know is: Who is putting together Block Club Chicago and the Defector…but for books.What's a sawbones? Oh, so that's why Corvin, Raven, and Rookwood are called the Murder.There is a whole lotta Latin in the Two Cathedrals episode of The West Wing.
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: A Bakery For Dogs Named ‘Le Barkery' Opens In Uptown … And Dogs Are Dragging Their People There: Le Barkery comes from the owner of the now-defunct Le Cafe, which specialized […]
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: Alamo Drafthouse's 6-Screen Movie Theater Opening Across From Wrigley Field Next Month: Alamo Drafthouse is opening in January in the hulking Addison and Clark development across from Wrigley Field. Lincoln Park […]
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio, Block Club Chicago and WCIU, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. The Rascals break down a new poll that shows Congressman Chuy Garcia being ahead of Mayor Lightfoot by 7 points in the mayoral […]
Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provided details on: Winter Weather Got You Down? Go Outside, Exercise To Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder, Experts Say: It’s tempting to hunker down and stay indoors, but experts advise getting outside and staying […]
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio, Block Club Chicago and WCIU, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. The Rascals break down a new poll that shows Congressman Chuy Garcia being ahead of Mayor Lightfoot by 7 points in the mayoral […]
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio, Block Club Chicago and WCIU, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. The Rascals break down a new poll that shows Congressman Chuy Garcia being ahead of Mayor Lightfoot by 7 points in the mayoral […]
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio, Block Club Chicago and WCIU, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. The Rascals break down a new poll that shows Congressman Chuy Garcia being ahead of Mayor Lightfoot by 7 points in the mayoral […]
Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joined Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus had details on: CTA Primed To Buy Land Along Red Line Extension's Path As Transit TIF Gets Key City Approval: The deal will allow the Cook County Land Bank to secure dozens of Far […]
Objections towards Proco Joe Moreno and Sam Royko are flying in the aldermanic race for the 1st Ward. Mina Bloom, a reporter for Block Club Chicago, joins the show to discuss the details of the challenges on this ballot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joined Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus had details on: This Chicagoan Wants To Build A Pickleball Empire. He's Hosting A Tournament On The Bulls Court: It will be the first time pickleball will be played inside an NBA arena. Dying […]
Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provided details on: Ald. Jim Gardiner Threatened Team Collecting Signatures For Opposing Campaign, Volunteer Says: Gardiner, who already faces lawsuits and investigations into his conduct, is seeking a second term. He’s shown on […]
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: Stop-Work Order On $90 Million Six Corners Sears Redevelopment Lifted For Partial Work, City Says: The developer and contractors that performed work without a permit were fined, a city spokesman said. […]
Across Chicago, cars have crashed into cyclists in the bike lane more than 400 times between 2020-22, according to an investigation by the Illinois Answers Project and Block Club Chicago. So what can city and state officials do to make Chicago streets safer for cyclists? Kyle Lucas and Michael Podgers with Better Streets Chicago tell us four things that have to happen. A spokesperson from Mayor Lori Lightfoot's office told City Cast that Chicago is building nearly 40 miles of new bikeways per year, nearly twice as much as the previous mayoral administration. Safe cycling is part of CDOT's strategic plan, with a focus on protected bike lanes and other low-stress routes. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joined Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provided details on: 242 Cars Towed On First Night Of Winter Parking Ban, Highest Number Since 2019: Car owners could pay at least $235 in towing, ticket and storage fees for forgetting to […]
Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for Bob Sirott, to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus had details on: UChicago Men's Soccer Chases A Title As Coach Julianne Sitch Makes History By Leading Team To Final Four: Sitch, a former Red Stars player, is the […]
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: 5 Protesters Arrested Outside Pilsen Church As Workers Remove Beloved Statue After Monthslong Standoff: People have camped outside the shuttered St. Adalbert’s for weeks, hoping to prevent workers from moving the […]
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW, Brandon Pope, host of ‘On the Block‘ on WCIU, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. Today, the Rascals eschew the normal political / news banter to share some […]
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW, Brandon Pope, host of ‘On the Block‘ on WCIU, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. Today, the Rascals eschew the normal political / news banter to share some […]
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW, Brandon Pope, host of ‘On the Block‘ on WCIU, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. Today, the Rascals eschew the normal political / news banter to share some […]
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW, Brandon Pope, host of ‘On the Block‘ on WCIU, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. Today, the Rascals eschew the normal political / news banter to share some […]
Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joined Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus had details on: Old Rainforest Cafe Gets Key City Approval To Swap Its Mushrooms For Weed, Turn Into A Dispensary: The dispensary’s developers plan to do away with the giant mushrooms and jungle-themed designs […]
Host - Jon HansenUsing skills he picked up on YouTube, police officer and chef Kenneth Griffin partnered with teens to build a garden to honor his slain friend. “You can make a difference in your backyard.”
Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joined Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: Music Fests Will Now Require Park District Board Approval, But Skeptics Worry City Will Choose ‘Profit Over People': Music fests in parks have long frustrated residents who are fenced out […]
After months of speculation, U.S. Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is officially running for mayor of Chicago. Garcia notably announced his campaign on the 40th anniversary of Harold Washington, the city's first Black mayor, launching his historic campaign for Chicago's highest office. Joining host Jacoby Cochran are Block Club Chicago's Jamie Nesbitt Golden and WCIU TV host Brandon Pope. The trio also break down CPS' ongoing food shortage, the agenda for CTA president Dorval Carter's testimony before alders, and a play helping revitalize Pilsen's APO Cultural Center. Plus, everyone's going to see the newest entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!" Are you going? And if so, are you dressing up like Jamie and Brandon? If you've got photos tag @CityCastChicago ! Nominations are open for the Reader's 2022 Best of Chicago. Nominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter under the "City Life" category! Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Mark Jacob, freelance writer and former Metro editor at the Tribune, and Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago. Today, the Rascals break down the midterm elections. What were the top storylines after last night? Has the media done a […]
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Mark Jacob, freelance writer and former Metro editor at the Tribune, and Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago. Today, the Rascals break down the midterm elections. What were the top storylines after last night? Has the media done a […]
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Mark Jacob, freelance writer and former Metro editor at the Tribune, and Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago. Today, the Rascals break down the midterm elections. What were the top storylines after last night? Has the media done a […]
Host - Jon HansenWe opened the 'Good News Hotline' up to Chicagoans to tell us about their favorite nonprofits and why listeners should hear about their missions, and consider supporting their efforts.
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel and The Daily Herald, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, and Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago. The Rascals discuss Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover and his plans to charge for verification. Eric is not leaving Twitter and still finds value from it. The […]
A Sociologist Photographed 100 Chicago Buildings Just Before They Were Torn Down. What Happened To The Sites 10 Years Later?Host - Jon Hansen