The Block Club Chicago Podcast cover art

The Block Club Chicago Podcast

The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Written by: Block Club Chicago
Listen for free

About this listen

The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans. New episodes Tuesdays, Thursdays, or whenever a BIG story breaks.2021 Block Club Chicago Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Is The Mag Mile Back?
    May 5 2026

    With new tenants opening up on the Mag Mile, Melody Mercado on whether the famed shopping district is back.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Reporter - Melody Mercado

    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 positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media.

    Ground-level coverage

    Our 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 day

    Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 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.

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • West Side Center Opens To Fix Chicago's 16-Year Life Expectancy Gap
    Apr 30 2026

    The West Garfield Park Sankofa Village Wellness Center offers primary medical care, fitness services and more. Access to these things could help residents who live, on average, 16 years fewer than people in other parts of Chicago, advocates say.

    On today’s Block Club Chicago podcast, sponsored by Rush, their VP of community health equity Rukiya Curvey Johnson discusses the opening.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Guest - Rukiya Curvey Johnson

    READ MORE HERE

    Michael Liptrot's Coverage of the opening 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 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 coverage

    Our 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 day

    Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 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.

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Could The Bears Bill Create Opening For A New White Sox Stadium?
    Apr 28 2026

    After more than three years on the legislative backburner, the Illinois House approved a major economic development bill that would clear the path for the Chicago Bears to build a new domed stadium in Arlington Heights.

    The bill includes broader economic development provisions, especially for Chicago and Springfield.

    Blighted or underused rail yards in Chicago would be eligible for their own type of megaproject aimed at redeveloping and revitalizing the yards. To be eligible, the projects must bring in $40 billion in new tax revenue over at least 40 years and increase transit ridership by 10,000 riders on average each day.

    Such legislation could open the door to massive new projects being considered in the city such as a new White Sox stadium being floated for an Amtrak yard along the Chicago River just south of the Loop and the One Central project near McCormick Place.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Guest - Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois

    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 positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media.

    Ground-level coverage

    Our 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 day

    Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 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.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
No reviews yet