Podcasts about Block Club Chicago

Today's episode is sponsored by Rush University Medical Center.May is National Nurses Month, and on this episode, we chat with two nurses at Rush to find out why they love their job, and what sets Rush apart. Nursing remains the country's most trusted profession. Medical centers across the country are counting on a new generation of nurses to fill a critical shortage, and keep the job's legacy strong.  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.

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Wendy Snyder, in for Bob Sirott, to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: After Uber Caught Overcharging Chicago Riders, City And State Push To Regulate Rideshares: Block Club reported that Uber was overcharging the city's downtown congestion fee. A city […]

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: Northwest Side Getting Its 1st Trader Joe’s In Jefferson Park: The City Council approved a zoning change Wednesday which clears the way for the popular grocery store to replace a former CVS. […]

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: Will City Council Sign Off On ‘Snap Curfews' — Allowing Cops To Make Up Curfews On The Spot?: The move aims to combat large gatherings of unsupervised teens— but critics say […]

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: Pope Leo's Childhood Church Could Become A City Landmark: St. Mary of the Assumption has fallen into disrepair, but landmark status would protect its exterior. The move could also help […]

Nearly a dozen South Side elementary students sickened after ingesting marijuana edibles. Mayor Johnson reaches the midpoint of his term. Congressional competitions heat up in the race to replace retiring Sen. Durbin and Rep. Schakowsky. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with a panel of journalists. This week we have Block Club Chicago reporter Mack Liederman, WBEZ senior editor of government, politics and safety Angela Rzas O'Toole, and government finance and accountability reporter with the Illinois Answers Project at the Better Government Association Alex Nitkin. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Mick Dumke, Investigator Editor at Block Club Chicago, joins Lisa Dent to detail Block Club Chicago suing ICE over immigration arrest records. Dumke requested arrest records over a 10 day period in January using The Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA). ICE didn’t meet the required 30 day deadline and emailed Dumke saying they needed 10 […]

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: City Adds 11 New Speed Cameras — Here's Where They Are: The new speed cameras will begin issuing tickets in June after a warning period. They were introduced as the city […]

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: Mayor Brandon Johnson Says He Hasn't Done Enough To Convince Chicago Of Job He's Doing: In an interview with Block Club ahead of his two-year anniversary as mayor, Johnson spoke on his […]

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: Block Club Chicago Sues ICE Over Immigration Arrest Records: Federal immigration officials still haven't released records showing how many people they rounded up during January sweeps in Chicago or what […]

Federal immigration officials still haven't released records showing how many people they rounded up during January sweeps in Chicago or what happened to them afterward.Host - Jon HansenReporter - Mick DumkeREAD MORE HEREDONATE HERE 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.

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: Millennium Park Summer Workout Schedule 2025: Free Classes Kick Off Saturday: Pilates, yoga, Zumba and other guided workout classes are back on Saturdays in Millennium Park through August. City Crews […]

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: Da Pope: Chicago Loses Its Mind Over Homegrown Pontiff: Within minutes of the announcement, Chicagoans had Photoshopped the new pope holding an Italian beef sandwich and made at least 50 Malört […]

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: Butch McGuire's Eyes 2nd Location In Lincoln Park: The family-owned Division Street bar, a favorite among young bar hoppers, is planning an expansion after more than 60 years. Devil Dawgs […]

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: Former Chicago Alderman Goes Viral For Giving Man His Jacket On Blue Line: ‘A Reminder To Be Kind': Edwin Eisendrath, a former Lincoln Park alderman and former Sun-Times CEO, said […]

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Wendy Snyder (in for Bob Sirott) to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: Chicago's Comic Book Stores Banding Together For Citywide Shop Crawl Saturday: Neighborhood shops plan to take this year's Free Comic Book Day festivities to a new level, […]

Stephanie Lulay, Executive editor and Co-Founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Wendy Snyder (in for Bob Sirott) to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on: Uber Wrongfully Charged Riders Downtown Congestion Fee For Months: After Block Club reached out to Uber about customers complaining they'd been charged city congestion fees outside of allotted […]

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Wendy Snyder (in for Bob Sirott) to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: New DuSable Park Plans Would Bring A Boardwalk, Lush Greenery To The Lakefront: The park's design pays homage to Chicago's founder and first non-Indigenous Black settler, Jean […]

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: Lincoln Square Car-Free Zone Extended To May As Neighbors Make The Most Of Street Closure: The original plan was for the 4700 block of North Lincoln Avenue to be blocked off to […]

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: Rainbow Cone Opening In June On Michigan Avenue: The South Side ice cream company's newest location is on a prominent stretch near Millennium Park that includes Nutella Cafe, Stan's Donuts and other […]

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: Chicago Landlords Are Charging Hundreds In Move-In Fees. Renters Want To Know Why: Renters are being asked to pay pricey move-in fees that provide them little or no benefit. “It's all […]

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: Could Banning Cars On Michigan Avenue Be The Key To Revitalizing Downtown?: The winning proposal from UChicago graduate students in this year's Harris Policy Innovation Challenge suggests the city turn a stretch […]

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: Fern Hill's Old Town Redevelopment Plan Clears Final City Council Vote: The 30-story apartment tower and renovation at North Avenue and LaSalle Drive will bring 349 units, including 70 affordable apartments, to […]

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: After Another Pedestrian Killed Crossing DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Neighbors Say Better Signs Needed: Tourists and other visitors sometimes try to cross the drive near the Museum Campus instead of using […]

Will Mayor Johnson's affordable housing plan make it through City Council this week? Do you need a Real ID before the May 7 deadline? What are some of Chicago's biggest foods according to Block Club Chicago? Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran answer these questions and more. Good News: Jackson Park Cherry Blossoms 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 April 15 episode: Prolonlife.com/city – Use this link for 15% off Cozy Earth – Use code COZYCHICAGO for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more 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: Portillo's For Breakfast? You Can Try It Starting Tuesday: Italian beef isn't on the menu, but a Polish sausage and egg sandwich and chocolate cake doughnut are. The chain is testing […]

Mayor Johnson's first aldermanic appointment is approved and a Chicago City Council committee advances a measure banning Jan. 6 participants from city jobs. Reset dives into these and other top local stories in the Weekly News Recap with Quinn Myers, Block Club Chicago reporte; Brandis Friedman, WTTW “Chicago Tonight” anchor; and Tom Schuba, Chicago Sun-Times reporter. 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: Tom Felton Visits Chicago's New Harry Potter Store — Take A Look Inside: The Mag Mile store is divided into sections, including areas for each Hogwarts House. There's also a sweets […]

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: Chicago Coffee Shops Raise Prices As Trump Tariffs Already Lead To More Expensive Beans: One South Side coffee shop owner said he paid $2,000 more than usual for his latest shipment of beans — […]

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: South Loop's Ace Hardware To Close Next Month: The final day of operation for the State Street store is May 24. Chicago State University Names Bobby Rome II Its First-Ever Football […]

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: Water Tower Place ‘Past Its Prime' As A Mall — But Mag Mile Recovery In Full Swing, Backers SayThe upper floors of the Michigan Avenue mall — which has seen […]

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: Heart Of Lincoln Square Will Be Closed To Car Traffic April 21: The closure is expected to last about a week, during which the stretch of Lincoln between Lawrence and Leland […]

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: AI Speed Cameras On DuSable Lake Shore Drive? State Bill Could Make It Happen: Under the proposed legislation, new technology could detect unsafe driving patterns and issue fines for speeding. Skyway Lanes […]

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: Chicagoans With Ticket Debt Can Now Have Late Fees Forgiven Through June 30: Chicagoans with ticket debt from 2023 or earlier can qualify to have late fees and additional penalties […]

In 2024, Chicago was named the rattiest city in the US by Orkin Pest Control for the TENTH year in a row. The city's budget for its ‘Bureau of Rodent Control' is almost $15 million annually. And they're trying something new. Starting in [[[]]], bait boxes with rat ‘birth control' will be placed in alleys throughout Wicker Park and Bucktown to try to curb the growth of rat populations. Reset checks in with Quinn Myers of Block Club Chicago to learn more about the program. 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: Sterling Bay Surrendering Section Of Lincoln Yards To Lender In Latest Setback For Megadevelopment: The developer is transferring ownership of the northern portion of the sprawling site to Bank OZK. It's […]

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: 16 New Speed Cameras Will Go Live Across Chicago Next Week — And More Are Coming Soon: Although Mayor Brandon Johnson supported phasing out speed cameras on the campaign trail, 50 new […]

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: The City Is Waiving Sticker Penalties For Chicago Drivers For All Of April: From April 1-30, the Office of the City Clerk is offering an “Amnesty Month” by waiving late fees 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: Historic South Loop Church's 134-Year-Old Stained Glass Windows Getting ‘Labor Intensive' Restoration: The $700,000 restoration is expected to take 14 months. It's the fourth window to be restored by Tom […]

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: Ladies Night Returns To Tavern On Rush After 2-Year Hiatus: The iconic Monday night event is back at the Viagra Triangle steakhouse, with drink specials, a live DJ and, of […]

Local and national advocacy organizations are suing Immigration and Customs Enforcement alleging illegal arrests, a coalition of Southeast Side neighbors is pushing back on Chicago's future Quantum Campus, and we've got thoughts on Lolla's lineup. Joining us to break it all down are Katrina Pham from Borderless Magazine and Maxwell Evans from Block Club Chicago. Plus, we're dropping our 1,000 things we love about Chicago on Monday, and we've got some live music to add to your calendars. Good News: JWF Amp'd Up Open Mic Series 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 March 21 episode: Moats Entertainment Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST 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: CTA Promises Better, Faster Blue Line Service At Night For Spring Schedule: Thirty extra train trips will be added to weekday service on the Blue Line to Forest Park as 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: West Town Leaders Continue Push For Satellite Police Station, But Mayor's Office Making No Promises: West Town alderpeople want to open a satellite station in the neighborhood to improve police response times. […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals start the podcast by congratulating new dad Jon Hansen! Next, the Rascals discuss the first few months of the Trump administration. What are the biggest […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals start the podcast by congratulating new dad Jon Hansen! Next, the Rascals discuss the first few months of the Trump administration. What are the biggest […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals start the podcast by congratulating new dad Jon Hansen! Next, the Rascals discuss the first few months of the Trump administration. What are the biggest […]

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: ‘The Bear' Cast Visits Classic South Side Pizza Place Vito And Nick's: “The Bear” stars Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach took photos with staff at the iconic […]

Mayor Brandon Johnson was on the hot seat Wednesday testifying before a Congressional hearing on sanctuary cities. How did he do? WBEZ's Susie An and Block Club Chicago's Madison Savedra are here with host Jacoby Cochran to grade his performance. Plus, the Highland Park shooting trial was cut short by a guilty plea, federal funding cuts are hitting researchers in Chicago, and one of the South Side's last bowling alleys is in trouble. This is City Cast Chicago's 1,000th episode! To celebrate, tell us something you love about Chicago. 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 March 7 episode: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Steppenwolf Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

In October, the Acero Charter School network sent shockwaves through their school communities when they announced they would be shutting down seven Latino-majority schools in Chicago. For families and students, it's been a waiting game as they wonder if or when their schools will close and what their options are. Chalkbeat Chicago's Samantha Smylie and Block Club Chicago's Atavia Reed explain the Chicago Board of Education's Thursday vote to save some of the schools. Plus, Gov. JB Pritzker wants to ban cellphones in classrooms, Lems BBQ adds another prestigious award, and today is Janet Martin Day! Good News: Fat Ham and BUST at the Goodman Theatre 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 February 28th episode: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Steppenwolf Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Earlier this week, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, once the most influential politician in the state, was found guilty of bribery, conspiracy, and other corruption charges following a four-month trial and two weeks of deliberation. We've got WCIU TV host Brandon Pope and Block Club Chicago's Jamie Nesbit Golden reacting to this historic conviction, including the juror's split verdict. Plus, the city prepares to lose community clinics in Uptown and Englewood, Beyonce adds a third Chicago tour date, and we're loving one North Lawndale neighbor's ice cream dreams. 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 Feb. 14 episode: The Newberry - Use code CITYCAST for 10% off your class TimeLine Theatre Company Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE