The Block Club Chicago Podcast
The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans.
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 19 minutes
- Episodes
- 321
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
How The Museum Of Science And Industry Almost Never Happened
Host - Jon Hansen
See more about MSI - HERE
Read more about Dr. Voula Saridakis HERE
More - Black Queer Chicagoans Fought To March In 1993 Bud Billiken Parade.
Want to donate to our non-profit newsr…
WTF Is Happening In City Council?
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Quinn Myers
Editor - Iridian Fierro
Mayor Brandon Johnson cast the deciding vote Tuesday not to censure Ramirez-Rosa, who stepped down as council floor leader after trying t…
Crash And Grabs Hitting Chicago Hard
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter Mack Liederman
At least eight businesses have been hit by 'crash and grabs' in the last two weeks, police said. The burglars’ tactic: ramming a car through the store’s securi…
Meet The Spanish Radio Voice of the Blackhawks, Bears, Cubs and Bulls
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Miguel Esparza
Miguel Esparza didn’t grow up wanting to be in broadcasting. Nevertheless, he is now the Spanish broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago …
'You Make Your Table Longer' - The Woman Opening Her Home To Migrants While Battling Terminal Cancer
Host - Jon Hansen
Editor - Iridian Fierro
Read the Sun-Time article about Elaine HERE
Elaine Pierce is a 68-year-old Oak Park retiree who didn't think twice about allowing 7 strangers into her 3-bedroom…
It's All Good - Honoring Engine 21, The First Paid Black Fire Brigade In The Country
The story of Engine 21 holds a special place in Chicago's history as a symbol of progress and resilience. Their dedication and bravery paved the way for greater opportunities and advancements for Bla…
"Send Them Back" - Tensions Flare Near Proposed Migrant Tent Camp Site
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Madison Savedra
Editor - Iridian Fierro
The Full Story HERE
Southwest Siders continue to push back on city plans to house migrants in a tent encampment in Brighton Park. Whil…
Why Were Beverly's Basketball Courts Ripped Out?
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Crystal Paul
Edited by Iridian Fierro
Decades ago, officials demolished Beverly's three outdoor basketball courts. Politicians and neighbors cited safety concerns but at lea…
It's All Good - Open House Chicago Returns This Weekend With Over 40 New Sites
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Angela Esposito, Chicago Architecture Center
Everything about Open House Chicago - HERE
Chicago is filled with architectural wonders and histories, and this weekend you’ll have…
Mayor Johnson's Budget Plan And How We Pay For It
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Quinn Myers
The 2024 budget proposal would increase police spending slightly, focusing on more detectives. It also provides $150 million to help asylum seeker…
Episode 100 - A Whole Lotta Good News
From lush gardens, rewards for drinking beer, cheese fortune tellers, and priceless art hanging in dorms, we've got a hodgepodge of good news for Episode 100!
Want to donate to our …
While The CTA Flounders, Its Leader Keeps Getting Pay Hikes
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Manny Ramos
As CTA riders coped with unreliable and sometimes unsafe service, agency President Dorval Carter’s salary climbed more than 60% in just eight years. But he oper…
The Voice Of The CTA
Lee Crooks, "The Voice of the CTA" who tells "L" and bus riders what stop is coming and which side the doors open joins the show!
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HER…
Chicago Could Soon End Subminimum Wages For Tipped Workers
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Quinn Myers
Read the rest of the story HERE
Alderpeople and an influential restaurant industry group have reached a compromise on a plan to eliminate the “subminimum wage” f…
Cats In Action - Helping Chicago's 500,000 Feral Cats
Cats in Action’s mission is to enable people to help free-roaming cats through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) by sharing best practices and providing comprehensive resources. Jon Hansen ta…
These Kids Started Their Own Newspaper — And Want You To Read More Local News
Reporter - Mack Liederman
With "The Kidler," a bunch of inquisitive Chicago teenagers have teamed up to keep the pulse of their neighborhoods.
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroo…
One Year After The Migrant Buses Began Arriving
Host - Jon Hansen
Reporter - Madison Savedra
The Story - HERE
Thousands of people are still sleeping on police station floors and a lack of concrete, long term planning has the city's stop gaps falteri…
They've Visited 365 Chicago Parks - And They're Just Getting Started
Fueling Up For The Air And Water Show
Host - Jon Hansen
Photojournalist - Colin Boyle
A KC-135 refueling tanker took off from Gary Jet Center Thursday morning with Illinois Air National Guardsmen and members of the media for a midwestern j…