The Block Club Chicago Podcast

City officials are winding down Chicago’s emergency response to the new arrivals. But the seemingly endless line outside of the state resource center in Humboldt Park is a visible reminder of the dai…

Alderpeople narrowly approved Mayor Brandon Johnson’s spending plan on Monday. The $17.1 billion budget will avoid a property tax hike after the mayor initially proposed a $300 million increase.

Host …

After nearly 30 years of answering listener’s home improvement questions on WGN Radio, Lou Manfredini said he doesn’t plan on signing off any time soon.

“My wife says I’ll be on the radio until they t…

The crime wave this year in commercially dense neighborhoods like Lakeview and Lincoln Park has taken a financial and emotional toll on restaurant owners. “At this point, it’s part of doing business …

Block Club’s 2024 Neighborhood Print Subscription Special is here!

We teamed up with local artist Steve Shanabruch to bring you 62 incredible prints featuring infamous Chicago neighborhoods and landma…

Last winter, researchers at the University of Chicago distributed a survey that asked residents to define their neighborhood boundaries. The survey got more than 5,500 responses and identified more t…

Today's episode is sponsored by Chase, and their 'Coaching For Impact' program that helps many small businesses in Chicago. One business is SydPlayEat, providing Chicagoans the easiest way to enjoy r…

Block Club Chicago's Linze Rice went deep — like, really deep — into the history of some of the city’s most beloved and historic dive bars.

Host - Jon Hansen

Reporter - Linze Rice

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The police department has spent $22.6 million in overtime this year for officers working special events — only about $2 million of which has been reimbursed to the city.

Host - Jon Hansen

Reporter - Me…

More than 30 police employees have died by suicide in recent years. Police reform advocates fear moves like this could leave the city — already behind on its consent decree targets — in contempt of c…

A Far South Side grocery store closed abruptly Sunday, leaving West Pullman with minimal access to fresh food. It's part of a larger trend of stores leaving communities without fresh produce, and exp…

Caleb Westbrooks, 15, was shot and killed in January 2022 in West Town. Corneal Westbrooks has written a children’s book to show people who his son was beyond the heartbreaking headlines.

Host - Jon H…

Uber driver Provy Taylor’s new book details interesting stories from his rides — from polyamorous women with two husbands to struggling young athletes to a group of masked men who held him at gunpoin…

A wet and windy Election Day in Chicago saw robust turnout by voters, with hundreds of thousands casting ballots. Here's how it played out from the neighborhoods. 

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As a candidate for mayor, Brandon Johnson repeatedly pledged he would not raise property taxes during his first term in office.

“I’m not going to raise property taxes. I’m the only person running in t…

Lou Chukman is seeing one of his most lucrative years on record thanks to a slew of high-profile Chicago trials from former Ald. Ed Burke to El Chapo’s son — and now former Illinois House Speaker Mic…

The internet and big-box competitors have put many locally owned costume shops out of business. Fantasy Costumes and Chicago Costume Company say they’ve managed to stay afloat by adapting and offerin…

One of the biggest races on the ballot in Chicago this election cycle is the Cook County State’s Attorney race.

In the spring, Eileen O’Neill Burke beat her democratic opponent by 1,571 votes - two te…

Federal Defense Attorney Mike Leonard explains what former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is charged with, and how a recent U.S. Supreme Court Case could make the case more difficult for federal…

After Mayor Johnson's combative press conference Monday, Mick Dumke looks back at previous Chicago mayors and their relationship with the press and constituents. Turns out, there's a common thread --…