Episodios

  • Meet The ICE Resistance -- Cameras, Whistles, And Neighborhood Rapid Response Teams
    Oct 16 2025

    Hundreds of people showed up Tuesday night at events across the Northwest and West sides to assemble whistle kits that Chicagoans can use to alert neighbors when immigration enforcement agents are nearby.

    The events came as Chicagoans are increasingly looking for ways to peacefully resist federal operations Midway Blitz and At Large, immigration enforcement programs that kicked off in September.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Reporter - Francia Garcia Hernandez

    Block Club Chicago's ICE Coverage

    Block Club’s team knows how confusing and fast immigration news is hitting Chicago as Operation Midway Blitz continues. So, in the hopes of simplifying the news for our readers, we’ve launched a WhatsApp channel to share Block Club’s daily recaps of ICE news and other breaking immigration news directly to your phone.

    On weekdays, newsletter intern Jake Cox, Newsletter Editor Hannah Boufford and other Block Club staff members will send daily updates and alerts to the channel as news breaks. You can also text us on WhatsApp at 312-860-0020 with questions, tips and feedback.

    You can follow the channel 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 five years ago, we've published more than 25,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 130,000 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.

    Más Menos
    29 m
  • Judge Blocks Trump’s National Guard Push Into Chicago -- For Now
    Oct 10 2025

    A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order Thursday against National Guard Troops mobilized this week in Illinois against the will of state and local officials.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Guest - Mike Leonard, Federal Defense Attorney

    Judge Partially Blocks Trump’s National Guard Mobilization To Chicago

    Judge Rules Feds Can’t Pepper-Spray, Tear-Gas Journalists After Block Club Chicago And Others Sue

    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 five years ago, we've published more than 25,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 130,000 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.

    Más Menos
    21 m
  • The Most Chicago Thing That's Ever Happened To Me Was _____
    Oct 7 2025

    Live from Saturday's Block Club Chicago Block Party at Half Acre, we wanted to know the most Chicago thing that's ever happened to you! Thank you all for coming to the event!

    Hosts - Jon Hansen, Iridian Fierro

    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 five years ago, we've published more than 25,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 130,000 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.

    Más Menos
    21 m
  • Babe’s Giving Women’s Sports Fans In Chicago A Place To Call Home
    Oct 2 2025

    After a crowdfunding campaign, a full interior overhaul and rummaging through a ton of sports memorabilia, a highly-anticipated women’s sports bar is now open in Logan Square.

    Babe’s Sports Bar at 3017 W. Armitage Ave. had a soft opening Saturday after nearly a year of renovations, creating a space for fans of women’s professional sports, said bar owner Nora McConnell-Johnson.

    Host - Iridian Fierro

    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 five years ago, we've published more than 25,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 130,000 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.

    Más Menos
    24 m
  • Private Fences Put Up Around A Public Park -- And Neighbors Aren't Happy
    Sep 30 2025

    Michele Dreczynski has fond memories of her son riding bikes through the park by her riverside townhouse “completely free and untethered.”

    That was before the park — with city-mandated public hours — was fenced in by her homeowner association.

    Metal gates at River Village North Townhomes, 1005 N. Kingsbury St., have gone up near West Hobbie and Oak streets, completing the fencing around the small, manicured park along the Near North Side riverwalk.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Reporter - Mack Liederman

    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 five years ago, we've published more than 25,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 130,000 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.

    Más Menos
    17 m
  • "In Order To Win, You Have To Lose A Lot" -- Meet The Man Building A Racket Sport Empire
    Sep 26 2025

    Today's episode, sponsored by Chase For Business, highlights the story of Chris Clark and his growing racketball empire - Toss and Spin.

    Joining Chris on the podcast is Mikal Quarles, the visionary behind the "Coaching For Impact" program that teams up small business owners with Chase coaches to help their businesses grow.

    Today's episode was recorded Thursday at Chase For Business' 'Make Your Move' Summit at the Salt Shed, which continues Friday, downtown.

    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 five years ago, we've published more than 25,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 130,000 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.

    Más Menos
    26 m
  • Meet The Voice Of The CTA -- 27 Years And Counting
    Sep 25 2025

    It’s been 27 years since a Milwaukee man strolled into a Chicago studio to record the thousands of directions, delays and warnings that still move the nation’s third-largest city.

    Lee Crooks, “The Voice of the CTA” who tells “L” and bus riders what stop is coming and on which side the doors open, doesn’t have much to say about the fact that most people still don’t know the name behind the recordings.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Guest - Lee Crooks

    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 five years ago, we've published more than 25,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 130,000 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.

    Más Menos
    20 m
  • CPS Fights Trump's Anti-DEI Efforts -- For Now
    Sep 23 2025

    CPS said in a letter to the U.S. Department of Education it would not walk back the rollout of its Black Student Success Plan or change its policies related to transgender students until a federal investigation is completed.

    Host - Jon Hansen

    Reporter - Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat

    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 five years ago, we've published more than 25,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 130,000 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.

    Más Menos
    20 m