• The South Side Pharmacy Desert Is Growing As Another Walgreens Leaves
    May 7 2026

    The pharmacy desert on the South Side is growing.

    As another South Side Walgreens prepares to close, so local leaders and residents rallied outside the business Monday to demand corporate officials either keep the store open or invest in other healthcare organizations in the community.

    The Walgreens store at 8628 S. Cottage Grove Ave. will close permanently June 4, according to Ald. William Hall (6th) and the national drugstore chain.

    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.

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    19 mins
  • 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.

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    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
  • Midway Blitz Is Over, Now ICE Is Quietly Targeting Immigrants At Court
    Apr 23 2026

    Arrests are ticking back up, with immigrants targeted at hearings and in courthouses, although federal agents are far less present in the streets than they were in the fall.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Reporter - Francia Garcia Hernandez

    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 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
  • The Secrets Underneath The Chicago Museum That Almost Never Happened
    Apr 21 2026

    Creators behind a new interactive event coming to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry have one goal in mind: fashion, but make it sustainable. Thrift Lab, which will feature an expert panel of speakers on sustainability and clothing, a textile mending workshop, a communal fashion project and a vintage market, will take place after hours at the museum from 6-10 p.m. April 30.

    It looks like a great event, and reminded the Block Club Chicago podcast team about conversations with the museums head curator, about MSI's history and what's in their archives that most people never get to see.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Guest - Dr. Voula Saridakis

    MORE ON THRIFT LAB 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
    20 mins
  • 'A Death Trap' -- Ford City Mall Could Be Shut Down By City
    Apr 16 2026

    City officials filed a motion Monday asking a Cook County judge to enforce the immediate evacuation of all tenants and occupants at Ford City Mall — months after a local developer proposed a plan to transform the nearly vacant space into an industrial campus, records show.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Reporter - Atavia Reed

    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 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
  • How Ray Lopez Became Conservative Media’s Favorite Chicago Democrat
    Apr 14 2026

    As Southwest Side neighbors were targeted or hid in their homes, Ald. Raymond Lopez repeatedly defended Trump’s immigration roundups on conservative and right-wing media. The 15th Ward alderman has long been a vocal and complex figure in the City Council. With roots in the Democratic machine, Lopez emerged as a tough-on-crime ward politician more than a decade ago and has evolved into an outspoken council independent.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Reporter - Manny Ramos

    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 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
    29 mins