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
The Most Endangered Buildings In Chicago And How We Can Help Save Them
Guest - Ward Miller, Preservation Chicago
Since 2003, Preservation Chicago's “Chicago 7 Most Endangered” has sounded the alarm on imminently threatened historic buildings and public a…
The Ballot - Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson Advance To Mayoral Runoff
Investigations Editor - Mick Dumke
Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson advance to the Chicago mayoral election -- as Lori Lightfoot becomes the first one-term mayor in four decades. Inves…
How One Woman Changed Health Care For Thousands Of Her South Side Neighbors
Guest - Debra Wesley, Sinai Community Institute
Debra Wesley has been the driving force behind improving the health and well-being of the patients on the South and Southwest sides ad…
Chicago Theaters Need You Back In The Seats
Chicago theaters struggled during the pandemic, and they still need help to get back to full capacity. Chicago Theater Week is a great way to see a show in your neighborhood!
Want to…
The Ballot - Show Me The (Mayoral Candidates) Money!
We have a second podcast, and here's an episode! It's called 'The Ballot' and it's all about Chicago elections. Here's an episode we recently recorded about campaign financing. We di…
Helping Unhoused Chicagoans Survive The Winter
Two Chicagoans, both fighting their own personal battles, are finding purpose and sobriety by helping Chicagoans experiencing homelessness.
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom…
Why Do Chicagoans Join The Polar Bear Club?
This weekend is the Chicago Polar Bear Club's 'Polar Plunge' so we want to know, why would anyone jump into a near-freezing Lake Michigan?
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? …
The Chicago Tool Library Has You Covered For Nearly Everything
The Chicago Tool Library non-profit gives members the chance to borrow tools instead of buying them or hiring someone for jobs they could do themselves. Co-founder Tessa Vierk says t…
Episode 68 - Trans Chicagoans Finding Joy in gods closet.
A free pop-up closet has worked to create safe, welcoming places to shop for transgender and gender nonconforming people — but it needs community support to keep going.
Want to donat…
Episode 67 - The Stories We Loved In 2022
Block Club reporters share their favorite stories from 2022!
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Who we are
Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organizat…
Semicolon Owner Reminds Chicagoans ‘Every Bookstore Doesn’t Have To Look The Same’
A popular local bookstore is moving back to River West after its owner got an opportunity to buy the store’s original location. It's the latest adventure for Danielle Mullen, who ope…
Episode 65 - Meet The Tour Guide Showing Off Chicago’s Stranger Side
A Chicagoan who takes people on tours of the city’s ugliest buildings and underground to check out its many rats has a new project: spreading Christmas cheer.
Want to donate to our n…
As Whole Foods Leaves Englewood, One Resident Is Finding A New Way To Feed His Neighbors
Using skills he picked up on YouTube, police officer and chef Kenneth Griffin partnered with teens to build a garden to honor his slain friend. “You can make a difference in your bac…
Episode 63 - The Nonprofits Chicagoans Love To Support
We opened the 'Good News Hotline' up to Chicagoans to tell us about their favorite nonprofits and why listeners should hear about their missions, and consider supporting their effort…
What Happens After Buildings Are Torn Down In Chicago
A Sociologist Photographed 100 Chicago Buildings Just Before They Were Torn Down. What Happened To The Sites 10 Years Later?
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Who …
Episode 61 - A Chicago Mom Is The Chalk Of The Town
North Side Mom Rebecca Laflure began chalking the sidewalk with her daughter during the pandemic, and became a neighborhood -- and instagram -- star.
Host - Jon Hansen
Want to donate to our non-profi…
Why Do People Run The Chicago Marathon?
Sunday's Chicago marathon brings together 40,000 runners for 26.2 grueling miles. We wanted to know - why do people run marathons?
Host - Jon Hansen
Guest - Windy Wilson and his charitable donate pag…
Episode 59 - Giving Youth Experiencing Homelessness A Safe Space To Call Home
Young people can visit the Lyte Lounge three days a week to get the services they need or relax in a music studio, art space and yoga room.
Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom?…
Chicago Chef Cooking For Arriving Migrants - "We Got You."
Chef Mike Airhart usually travels around Chicago helping feed our city's unhoused. Now, he's feeding arriving migrants. "We got you, till you're up on your feet," Airhart says on Epi…
Turning Expressway Dirt Piles Into Urban Gardens
In the 1980s, Chicago's expressways were surrounded by dirt. Gateway Green stepped in to beautify the area, and 36 year later the 2nd-generation non-profit keeps picking up steam ...…