Block Club Chicago

ROGERS PARK - As a new batch of first-year students flock to Loyola University's Lake Shore Campus for the beginning of a new school year, the absence of the school's iconic Sister Jean is palpable. The late basketball chaplain died in October at 106, jus

CHICAGO - As thousands of Gary, Indiana, residents enter a second week without electricity after deadly storms, Chicagoans are stepping in to help with some basic necessities families are struggling to access. DeAndra Gathings, owner of Rinse Cycle Valet,

PORTAGE PARK - Dennis Wolkowicz dedicated his life to silent film, music and his love for the Far Northwest Side. Wolkowicz, one of Chicago's last remaining photoplay organists, died in February 2025, but his impact on Six Corners and the surrounding comm

The Avondale arts group is looking to add music and arts classes into the school day at ChiArts, which experienced layoffs and uncertainty in its transition to a CPS Sustainable Community School.

BRIDGEPORT - Some neighbors are up in arms over Amtrak's plan to relocate its maintenance facility from the South Loop to Bridgeport, a move that could leave the neighborhood with a new industrial facility - and without a major league baseball team. Amtra

BEVERLY - A Cook County judge has ordered an inspection of a Beverly home that has come under fire for hosting unlicensed events. The city of Chicago filed a lawsuit this month against the owner and occupant of a home in the 10500 block of South Maplewood

DOWNTOWN - City officials laid out a more detailed timeline Thursday for repairs and improvements to the former Greyhound bus station, offering new details about when work will begin and what riders can expect. The city approved the $19.2 million purchase

CHICAGO - The sun has been shining more regularly this week, a welcome sight after the latest rounds of inclement summer weather. Here's what Block Club reporters and photographers captured while covering the city's neighborhoods this week: Demarius Moore

DOUGLASS PARK - Riot Fest returns to Douglass Park next month, this time with official parking for at least $50 a day. This marks the first year Riot Fest will offer official festival-run parking. The three-day fest is slated for Sept. 19-20 with headline

CHICAGO - About 230 members of the Teamsters Local 700 union who work for the Forest Preserves of Cook County have been on strike since Monday. It marked the first time that the union has gone on strike. Union workers authorized the strike on July 30 afte