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Source: https://blockclubchicago.org/feed/

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<title>At Holy Name Cathedral, Chicagoans Celebrate Pope Leo XIV In Morning Masses Friday</title>
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<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gwen Ihnat]]></dc:creator>
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<description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>The reaction among church leaders to the news of Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost being named the first American pope was "pandemonium," Bishop Lawrence J. Sullivan told parishioners.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5234.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>NEAR NORTH SIDE — As the 7 a.m. Mass was underway Friday at Holy Name Cathedral, a newcomer walked through the massive church doors, wondering if the service was public.After he was assured he was welcome, the visitor said, “I’ve never been here before. I’m excited.”The morning after Chicago learned one of its own — <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-named-first-american-pope-and-hes-from-chicago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Bronzeville-born Robert Francis Prevost — had been named pope</a>, the celebratory mood that swept over the city and its residents had yet to subside.A gaggle of reporters gathered early Friday outside Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., the seat of the Archdiocese of Chicago, outnumbering the parishioners who had come to attend the first Mass of the day — though the crowd inside and out quickly grew.Bishop Lawrence J. Sullivan, vicar general for the archdiocese, opened the 7 a.m. Mass by referencing the “wonderful” day Thursday when Pope Leo XIV was announced. “You can’t believe the initial dead silence” at the church when it was announced the pope was from Chicago, Sullivan said. <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/da-pope-chicago-loses-its-mind-over-homegrown-pontiff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">What followed was “pandemonium,</a>” he said.Sullivan also referenced <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2025/5/9/missa-pro-ecclesia.html" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Pope Leo’s first Mass at the Vatican on Friday</a>, calling it a “hugely symbolic” and “impressive” start. The new pope began his Mass in English before delivering the homily in Italian, in which he called for “cultivating a personal relationship with Christ,” according to Vatican News.Pope Leo faces a “fiercesome responsibility,” but “with our prayers, he will take on this duty,” Sullivan said.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="585" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-1024x768.jpg?resize=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874712" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C600&quality=89&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C450&quality=89&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C300&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C150&quality=89&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C530&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2439-1024x768.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bishop Larry Sullivan (r.) speaks at Holy Name Cathedral on the ascension of Robert Prevost to pope of the Catholic Church. Credit: Melody Mercado/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>The 8 a.m. service was the official celebratory Mass for the new pontiff, and Sullivan again presided over the service, this time to a somewhat larger crowd.The 8 a.m. also hosted several members of the press, with mics and cameras.In a slightly extended sermon, the bishop, who said he was from the Southwest Side, commented on the local frenzy that hit Chicago after the announcement, with the “world focusing so much wonderful attention and so much focus on who the new pope was going to be. And once we found out it was a Chicagoan, the question was, ‘Is he <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-is-a-sox-fan-despite-early-cub-fan-reports/" data-wpel-link="internal">a White Sox fan, or is he a Cubs fan</a>? Is he going to be a Bears fan? And where do the Packers fit into all of this?’ Those are great questions, because what they do is they lead us into an opportunity to share with people.”But the bishop stressed again that “The most important thing that we celebrate, the most important thing that we’re thanking God for, is the fact that the church has a new shepherd.”Toward the end of the 8 a.m. service, the crowd applauded the new pope — not a typical sound heard in Catholic Mass.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874808" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5183-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Faithfuls gather in prayer at Holy Name Cathedral after Chicago’s Robert Francis Prevost was named Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>After the service, Holy Name docent Lisa Mettler noted there were “most definitely” more attendees than usual at the early Masses.Mettler said a school group was scheduled for a 2 p.m. tour Thursday, right after the announcement.“Poor things, [they] had to wait and wait to get into the church because we were doing a big news conference,” she said.There are three more school groups scheduled for Friday morning, Mettler said. She also predicted that Holy Name Masses throughout the weekend were likely to offer a special recognition of the new pontiff.Morning Mass attendee Alejandro Mendoza has a special connection to the new pope: He is a parishioner at St. Rita’s in Ashburn where Pope Leo XIV, then Robert Francis Prevost, <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/09/is-pope-leo-xiv-actually-from-chicago-yes-he-is-and-south-suburban-dolton-too/" data-wpel-link="internal">was once a substitute teacher</a>.“I have some friends that have photos with him,” Mendoza said. “It’s really cool to see how local he is, and a Sox fan as well.”But Mendoza decided to visit Holy Name on Friday to honor Pope Leo, he said.Mendoza said he is “super excited” about the new pope.“I was a big fan of the last pope. I just got back into my Catholic traditions, so it’s really nice to get such a homecoming,” he said.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="585" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-1024x768.jpeg?resize=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-868434" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1152&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1536&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=1200%2C900&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=800%2C600&quality=89&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=600%2C450&quality=89&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=400%2C300&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=200%2C150&quality=89&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=2000%2C1500&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?resize=706%2C530&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0211-1024x768.jpeg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A black ribbon hangs at the door of Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., as a sign of mourning for Pope Francis, as seen on April 21, 2025. Credit: Francia Garcia Hernandez/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>New Yorker Sal Cocchiaro attended the 8 a.m. Mass as a tourist, saying he’d “never been to Chicago before.” He was in Millennium Park on Thursday when he heard about the new pope.“I said if I’d stayed in New York, it may have been Cardinal Dolan, so you’re welcome,” he said, joking. “It’s been an amazing day. Friends, family who aren’t even Catholic are asking questions. It’s a big moment for the church. I think people are excited to have an American with a different perspective, a pride in globalism, a pride in being connected to others in the world, and I think it’s great for us.”Some Catholics are speculating on what the new pope’s perspectives will be on certain issues. Parishioner Katie, who did not want her last name used, said, “I hope he gets it right with LGBTQ as Pope Francis did. That’s my prayer for him.”Italian tourists Eduardo and Stefania, who also declined to share their last names, stopped by to take a look at the cathedral Friday morning, noting the irony that they were in Chicago to hear the news from Vatican City.But even as Chicago celebrates all of Pope Leo’s ties to the city, “I think the pope is universal,” Eduardo said. “He’s from here, but he’s for the people.”<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cad6afd wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">Support Local News!
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">875024</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Is Pope Leo XIV Actually From Chicago? Yes, He Is — And South Suburban Dolton, Too</title>
<link>https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/09/is-pope-leo-xiv-actually-from-chicago-yes-he-is-and-south-suburban-dolton-too/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melissa Espana and Kelly Bauer]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2025 14:42:18 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Citywide]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Instagram]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blockclubchicago.org/?p=875003</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="666" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?fit=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?w=2000&quality=80&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=300%2C195&quality=80&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=768%2C499&quality=80&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=1536%2C998&quality=80&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=1200%2C780&quality=80&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=780%2C507&quality=80&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=400%2C260&quality=80&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=706%2C459&quality=80&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?fit=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>Whether someone is actually from Chicago is a uniquely sensitive question for its natives. We're here to break it down.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="666" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?fit=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?w=2000&quality=80&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=300%2C195&quality=80&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=768%2C499&quality=80&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=1536%2C998&quality=80&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=1200%2C780&quality=80&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=780%2C507&quality=80&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=400%2C260&quality=80&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?resize=706%2C459&quality=80&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/chicago-pope-thumbnail-1.png?fit=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>CHICAGO — By now, you’ve heard the news: The new pope hails from Chicago.But … does he really?It’s a uniquely sensitive subject in Chicago, where many natives tease people born in the suburbs — be it far-flung Naperville or <a href="https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170201/rogers-park/bruh-youre-from-evanston-who-is-allowed-say-im-from-chicago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">on-the-border Evanston</a> — for claiming to be from Chicago. And the topic of where the pope’s from is already being hotly debated.So, we’re here to tell you: Yes, Pope Leo XIV is actually from the city of Chicago. He was born in Bronzeville — and he has many other ties to Chicago.Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, was selected Thursday at the Vatican on the second day of Conclave, a process by which cardinals choose the pope. He succeeds Pope Francis, who <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/21/chicagoans-mourn-pope-francis-the-peoples-pope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">died last month</a>.Here’s what we know about Prevost’s Chicago ties:<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-born-in-the-city">Born In The City</h2>If you define being “from Chicago” as just where one was born, the answer is easy: Prevost is a dyed-in-the-wool Chicagoan.Prevost was born Sept. 14, 1955, at Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville.Then again, many people born outside the city limits who have lived their entire lives in Chicago would consider themselves from Chicago. That’s where things get trickier.RELATED: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-named-first-american-pope-and-hes-from-chicago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Pope Leo XIV Named First American Pope — And He’s From Chicago</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-1024x683.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874974" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-1024x683.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home at 212 E. 141st Place in Dolton, as seen on May 8, 2025. Listed for sale since January, the home’s listing was removed after its former inhabitant was elected pope. Credit: Maxwell Evans/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-suburbs-can-claim-him-too">The Suburbs Can Claim Him, Too</h2>Sigh: Prevost might have been born in Chicago, but his first home was in suburban Dolton. His childhood home is at 212 E. 141st Place — roughly a half-mile, or 2 minutes of driving, outside Chicago.And <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/09/dolton-neighbors-proud-to-claim-pope-leo-xiv-as-one-of-their-own-it-gives-you-hope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">many in Dolton were excited to claim Prevost</a> when the news was announced Thursday, saying they hope his connection can create a new narrative for a town that has struggled with crime and a poor reputation in recent years.We don’t want to take that away from them — Chicagoans know how rough it is to have people paint a picture of your city that doesn’t feel true.RELATED: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/09/dolton-neighbors-proud-to-claim-pope-leo-xiv-as-one-of-their-own-it-gives-you-hope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Dolton Neighbors Proud To Claim Pope Leo XIV As One Of Their Own: ‘It Gives You Hope’</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874871" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5151-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park on May 8, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ok-but">OK, But …</h2>Prevost still has many ties to Chicago.Prevost attended church at St. Mary of the Assumption on the Far Southeast Side, <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/03/robert-prevost-pope-francis-conclave-catholic-church-dolton-saint-mary-assumption-parish" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">according to the Sun-Times.</a> The now-closed church sat at 310 E. 137th St. — firmly in Chicago’s Riverdale community area.And Prevost attended the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park from 1978 to 1982. During that time, he taught in local Catholic schools, including serving as a substitute teacher at St. Rita High School in Ashburn, the Sun-Times reported.Prevost also presided over communion ceremonies at St. Gabriel Parish in Canaryville, where his brother was the principal of the elementary school.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="507" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11-1024x666.png?resize=780%2C507&quality=80&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874700" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11.png?resize=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11.png?resize=300%2C195&quality=80&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11.png?resize=768%2C499&quality=80&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11.png?resize=1536%2C998&quality=80&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11.png?resize=1200%2C780&quality=80&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11.png?resize=780%2C507&quality=80&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11.png?resize=400%2C260&quality=80&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11.png?resize=706%2C459&quality=80&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11.png?w=2000&quality=80&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Blank-2000-x-1300-11-1024x666.png?w=370&quality=80&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chicagoans took to social media — and Photoshop — to share their thoughts on a home-grown pope. </figcaption></figure><h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-culturally">What About Culturally?</h2>When it comes to where Prevost is technically from, things are divided. And it’s not as easy as asking him, “Hey, where do you call home?” (He isn’t picking up Block Club’s phone calls yet.)So, let’s look at his cultural ties. The <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-is-a-sox-fan-despite-early-cub-fan-reports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">new pontiff is a Sox fan</a>, his brother said.That could be a point for Chicago if we assume suburbanites are more likely to root for other cities’ teams — but we’re guessing many in Dolton claim the Sox, too.We also know Prevost would <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/da-pope-chicago-loses-its-mind-over-homegrown-pontiff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">look at home with a beef in his hands</a>, if all the Photoshopped pictures on social media are anything to go by.Maybe we just need someone to ask him the Sacred Questions of Chicago:<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>How do you like your pizza cut?</li>
<li>Have you ever had a shot of <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/09/10/why-do-chicagoans-love-and-loathe-malort-new-book-explores-iconic-brands-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Malört</a>?</li>
<li>Do you get your beef dipped?</li>
<li>How do you feel about <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/03/29/heinz-is-putting-up-ketchup-dispensers-to-tempt-chicagoans-with-forbidden-condiment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">ketchup on hot dogs</a>?</li></ul>RELATED: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/da-pope-chicago-loses-its-mind-over-homegrown-pontiff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Da Pope: Chicago Loses Its Mind Over Homegrown Pontiff</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="340" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map-1024x447.png?resize=780%2C340&quality=80&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-875006" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?resize=1024%2C447&quality=80&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?resize=300%2C131&quality=80&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?resize=768%2C335&quality=80&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?resize=1536%2C670&quality=80&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?resize=2048%2C893&quality=80&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?resize=1200%2C523&quality=80&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?resize=2000%2C872&quality=80&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?resize=780%2C340&quality=80&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?resize=400%2C174&quality=80&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?resize=706%2C308&quality=80&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map.png?w=2340&quality=80&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/and-chicago-map-1024x447.png?w=370&quality=80&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South Suburban Dolton touches the border of Chicago. | Photo: City of Chicago</figcaption></figure><h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maybe-we-can-all-win">Maybe We Can All Win</h2>There is no one answer to the question, “Who is from Chicago?” The city claims suburbanites when it wants to, and we reject them, too.But Dolton is about as close to Chicago as you can get without being in Chicago.And, hey, he was born here.Maybe people who want him to be from Chicago can say he’s from here — and maybe people who think he’s from Dolton can say that, too.<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cad6afd wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">Support Local News!
<a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/subscribe/" data-wpel-link="internal">Subscribe to Block Club Chicago</a>, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Click here to gift a subscription</a>, or you can support Block Club with a <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/donate/" data-wpel-link="internal">tax-deductible donation.</a></div>
</div></div>Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">875003</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Transit Advocates Push Mayor, Board For Nationwide Search For Next CTA Boss</title>
<link>https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/09/transit-advocates-push-mayor-board-for-nationwide-search-for-next-cta-boss-instead-of-installing-insider/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack Liederman and Manny Ramos]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2025 13:32:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Citywide]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blockclubchicago.org/?p=874913</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=1568%2C1045&quality=89&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>Kevin Irvine, a former CTA board member, asked current board members not to approve Mayor Brandon Johnson's reported pick — city COO John Roberson — as CTA president during a special meeting. ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=1568%2C1045&quality=89&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/10/100924-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-2864.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>CHICAGO — A Chicago Transit Board meeting Thursday saw transportation advocates and elected officials sounding alarms, fearful the board was going to name a mayoral insider as the agency’s president — but, ultimately, no new leader was announced.The seven-member board has been tasked with appointing a new leader for Chicago’s transit agency, which has faced criticism for years. The members gathered Thursday for a special meeting without any details on the agenda, but there was speculation the board was moving to push through Mayor Brandon Johnson’s reported pick to run the $2.1 billion agency: <a href="https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/transit-groups-urge-mayor-rethink-cta-appointment" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">the city’s chief operating officer, John Roberson</a>, a City Hall veteran who’s criss-crossed top-ranking roles in various city agencies but lacks transit experience. The special meeting, announced two days earlier, prompted an outcry from City Council members and transit advocates who issued letters to Johnson urging him to engage in a more collaborative, nationwide search for the CTA’s new leader.The meeting had an hour-long private executive session, and board members made no comments about who would lead the CTA permanently. The board also noted interim President Nora Leerhsen was in Springfield speaking with state lawmakers.Kevin Irvine, a CTA board member from 2011-2022, on Thursday urged current board members not to approve Roberson as president.“At this critical time in the CTA’s history, we need the CTA to have a leader who can hit the ground running and won’t need a crash course in bus and rail operations, vehicle and rail maintenance, capital project planning, transit union negotiations and the complex web of potential sources of funding,” Irvine said.Irvine, an avid public transit rider who sits on the board of directors for advocacy group Active Transportation Alliance, said the CTA board should consider candidates who have “deep experience” running a large transit agency, an understanding on how to secure federal funding, a history of transit use and a commitment to transparency.Irvine said Roberson lacked these qualities and shouldn’t be the CTA’s next president. He added that the next leader should possess a willingness to advocate for and collaborate with marginalized communities in Chicago.“Please do a gut check and ask yourself this question: Are you confident there is no one else available in the world who can do this critically important job better?” Irvine said. “Is this really the best person for the job?”Caroline Pavlecic, a member of the CTA’s Citizen Advisory Board, expressed concern that the special meeting was called on short notice without any details on the agenda. Pavlecic pointed out that the special meeting replaced the Citizen Advisory Board’s planned meeting. “It also concerns me that the Citizen Advisory Board hasn’t been consulted on anything related to the new president,” Pavlecic said. “It’s disappointing that I have to be here making public comments in order to be heard on such critical issues.”  Pavlecic said she hopes the next CTA president uses the system often and can understand firsthand what riders experience. She also would like the next president to not only have relevant transit experience but a willingness to engage with transit riders directly. Block Club Chicago has previously reported how CTA leaders <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/07/14/ctas-top-leaders-rarely-swiped-onto-transit-records-show-now-officials-call-for-president-to-be-fired/" data-wpel-link="internal">rarely rode the system they were tasked to run</a> as riders complained of untimely, unsanitary and unsafe daily conditions.A letter signed by 13 local transit advocacy groups Thursday urged Johnson to appoint someone with “deep experience running a public transit system in a major metropolitan region.”“Leading a transit agency is a highly specialized role, and given the specific challenges CTA riders have weathered over the last several years, they deserve an experienced, world-class transit leader who is ready to tackle the system’s challenges on day-one,” the groups wrote in the letter.The letter encouraged Johnson to speak with local stakeholders and launch a national search.“This is standard practice throughout the public transit industry nationwide,” the groups wrote in the letter.Another letter signed Wednesday by 10 alderpeople calls on Johnson to conduct a “nationwide talent search” before appointing someone to lead the CTA.“Chicagoans are demanding — and they deserve — a leader with the subject matter expertise, real-life user experience and passion to deliver these badly-needed improvements to the system,” alderpeople wrote in that letter. “A nationwide search is necessary to ensure that we are truly doing our due diligence to deliver the improvements that Chicagoans have been waiting on.”The alderpeople wrote that hosting a national search would be “an opportunity to demonstrate a good-faith effort to show that the City is listening to its ridership.”The letter was organized by Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th), the vice chair of the City Council’s transportation committee, and signed mostly by other alderpeople who supported Vasquez’s <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/05/22/resolution-calling-for-cta-presidents-firing-resignation-stalls-despite-support-from-majority-of-council/" data-wpel-link="internal">resolution for former CTA President Dorval Carter Jr., a career transit executive, to resign or retire.</a>The Mayor’s Office didn’t respond to questions about Roberson.The next CTA president will inherit a system in which Chicago-area public transit agencies collectively face a $770 million budget gap in the upcoming fiscal year. Regional Transit Authority leaders have said that if the state doesn’t step in soon, <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/03/21/1-in-5-chicagoans-will-lose-access-to-cta-pace-metra-if-state-doesnt-move-to-fund-public-transit-rta-says/" data-wpel-link="internal">catastrophic cuts could come to services</a>. State lawmakers have repeatedly said they won’t increase state funding without reform to how the systems are managed. Some have backed a proposal that would consolidate the CTA, Metra, Pace and the RTA into a single system, but that <a href="https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/with-1-month-left-in-session-lawmakers-near-deal-on-public-transit-reform/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">proposal has seemed to lose steam in recent weeks</a>.CTA has <a href="https://x.com/JosephPolitano/status/1920155231876190478" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">fallen behind other large transit agencies across the country</a> in bringing back ridership after a steep decline during the pandemic. Advocates have blamed the slow recovery on how the system was managed under Carter, alleging he prioritized large capital projects over the day-to-day rider experience.Carter <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/01/13/cta-boss-dorval-carter-retires-after-years-of-mounting-pressure-over-struggling-transit-service/" data-wpel-link="internal">left the post in January</a> after years of being criticized for the CTA’s slow post-pandemic rebound, <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/11/03/cta-boss-says-he-wont-ghost-a-city-hall-hearing-next-week-as-public-pressure-mounts-to-address-rider-complaints/" data-wpel-link="internal">skipping some public hearings</a> and <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/05/01/does-cta-boss-dorval-carter-use-public-transit-records-show-he-swiped-pass-once-in-2021/" data-wpel-link="internal">rarely riding transit himself</a>. Carter oversaw major modernization projects for CTA facilities and secured funding for a<a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/09/08/red-line-extension-gets-nearly-2-billion-from-feds/" data-wpel-link="internal"> long-promised plan to extend the Red Line four stops farther south.</a>CTA has introduced <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/20/blue-and-yellow-lines-add-extra-service-on-nights-weekends-as-part-of-new-schedule/" data-wpel-link="internal">faster train</a> and <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/03/03/cta-promises-10-minutes-or-sooner-buses-on-major-south-west-side-routes-starting-this-month/" data-wpel-link="internal">bus schedules</a> under the watch of Leerhsen, Carter’s former chief of staff.In their letter, the transit advocacy groups credited the CTA for improvements that have “made strides in rebuilding trust with ridership” but warned Johnson to hold off on appointing new leadership until after the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session.In <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJKMA7Fgr7C/?igsh=MXY5dnYyc3FncTBjdA%3D%3D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">an interview on WBEZ last week</a>, Johnson said he intended to appoint a CTA president with “a relationship to public transportation” and “a high capacity to run large systems.”“Particularly someone who understands what it means to use public transporation,” Johnson said. “Having that shared rider experience will keep that person humble enough to remain engaged.”<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cad6afd wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">Support Local News!
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">874913</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Dolton Neighbors Proud To Claim Pope Leo XIV As One Of Their Own: ‘It Gives You Hope’</title>
<link>https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/09/dolton-neighbors-proud-to-claim-pope-leo-xiv-as-one-of-their-own-it-gives-you-hope/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Maxwell Evans and Patrick Filbin]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2025 13:27:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Roseland, Pullman]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[West Pullman, Riverdale]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blockclubchicago.org/?p=874928</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?w=2560&quality=89&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>Born in Chicago, the newly elected pope grew up in south suburban Dolton and attended school and church nearby on Chicago's Far South Side. Neighbors hope that connection can bring new attention, narratives and investment to the community.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?w=2560&quality=89&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2811-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>DOLTON — George Arroyo and George Ramirez, who share a given name and a block on 141st Place in Dolton, unknowingly spent years living across the street from a piece of history.As they cleaned up outside their homes Thursday, they saw a real estate agent arrive to show the house at 212 E. 141st Place to a potential buyer. That wasn’t unusual, as the home has been listed for sale since January, <a href="https://www.redfin.com/IL/Dolton/212-E-141st-Pl-60419/home/12948058" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">according to Redfin</a>.But soon after the visitors left, someone drove down the street hollering, “The pope used to live there! The pope used to live there,” Arroyo said. The Georges nearly dismissed the driver as some “crazy lady” — until about 20 minutes later, when news reporters descended on the block, they said.The press’ arrival — and online searches — confirmed the driver’s shouts were correct: Robert Prevost, born at Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville and raised on 141st Place, had just been elected <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-named-first-american-pope-and-hes-from-chicago/" data-wpel-link="internal">the first U.S.-born pope</a>.“We never thought we were going to have a pope from this area, and then being across the street from us — man, this is amazing,” Arroyo said.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-1024x683.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874974" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2789-1024x683.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home at 212 E. 141st Place in Dolton, as seen on May 8, 2025. Listed for sale since January, the home’s listing was removed after its former inhabitant was elected pope. Credit: Maxwell Evans/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Prevost, who took the name Pope Leo XIV upon his papal election this week, grew up in a nondescript, three-bedroom home his parents bought new in 1949, <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/03/robert-prevost-pope-francis-conclave-catholic-church-dolton-saint-mary-assumption-parish" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">according to the Sun-Times</a>.On Thursday, one man was hauling items to a dumpster from the house next door, where his sister has lived since the early ’80s. The man, who declined to give his name, said neither he nor his sister knew Prevost’s family had lived there before Thursday.In hindsight, she wonders if the friendly but reserved older neighbor she would see in the yard many years ago was actually the future pope’s father, he said.“It’s pretty exciting … to see someone doing something at such a large scale [who lived] right next door,” the man said.Arroyo and Ramirez moved to Dolton from Chicago — Arroyo from Little Village, and Ramirez from Back of the Yards.Both said the prior residents of the new pope’s childhood home had caused trouble on the usually quiet block. Ramirez said there have been three shootings at the house during his six years on the block — and Arroyo said one of them happened as Arroyo’s wife moved their belongings into their home two years ago.Peace persisted as the house sat vacant, Arroyo said. A house flipper bought it last year for $66,000, and at one point on Thursday, it was still listed for sale at $199,000, <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91326862/you-can-buy-the-new-popes-childhood-home-for-199000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Fast Company reported</a>. After Pope Leo XIV was elected, the listing was taken down.A few blocks north of the house is the former St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, 310 E. 137th St. in Chicago, which <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/03/robert-prevost-pope-francis-conclave-catholic-church-dolton-saint-mary-assumption-parish" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">the new pope attended in his youth</a>.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-1024x683.jpeg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-875018" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_001-1024x683.jpeg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sharon Latham and Doug Latham speak to documentary filmmakers at the closed St. Mary of the Assumption parish in Chicago, IL near the suburb Dolton on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Newly elected pope Leo XIV used to attend the church. Credit: Andrew Burke-Stevenson for Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-1024x683.jpeg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-875021" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_pope_church_abs_007-1024x683.jpeg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The closed St. Mary of the Assumption parish in Chicago, IL near the suburb Dolton on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Newly elected pope Leo XIV used to attend the church. Credit: Andrew Burke-Stevenson for Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>The church closed in 2011 and now sits in severe disrepair. Bricks, glass and debris were scattered across the grounds Thursday; windows and doors to the rectory, chapel and other buildings allow easy access to the interior; and stagnant water can be seen in one building.Arroyo, who attends St. Symphorosa Catholic Church in Clearing, said he only visited St. Mary’s a couple times when it was open. He hopes Dolton’s connection to the new Catholic leader will bring renewed interest and investment in the community at the old church site and elsewhere.The man whose sister owns the neighboring house also hopes to see more local improvements as word spreads about the pope’s roots. <a href="https://www.doltonpubliclibrary.org/2019/11/weve-undergone-renovations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Dolton’s public library</a> is an example of the “very modern” amenities the city could use more of, while basic city services like a constantly flooding sewer system need improvement, he said.Dolton “has some really great neighbors,” he said. “I hope the news with the new pope brings a lot of [attention] and things into the neighborhood.”<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-1024x683.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874973" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2836-1024x683.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A car drives down Indiana Avenue in Dolton, past the block of 141st Place on which Pope Leo XIV grew up, on May 8, 2025. Credit: Maxwell Evans/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-look-at-dolton-now-we-got-a-pope">‘Look At Dolton. Now We Got A Pope’</h2>Jakub Jasnak, who since 2005 has owned JJ Sausage Maxwell Street in Dolton, visited Prevost’s 141st Place home with Slavo Zibura. The duo asked a neighbor to take a picture of them in front of the home “because this is a historical moment,” Jasnak said.“One day, we’re going to visit him in Rome,” Jasnak said — and in the meantime, Jasnak will pray for Pope Leo XIV to return for a tour of Dolton and other local places that were key to his life story, such as the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park.Jay Jones, a Dolton native, had just got off work about 4 p.m. Thursday and stopped for an early dinner at Momo’s Sandwich Shop, 452 W. 144th St. in neighboring Riverdale. Prevost’s boyhood home sits just off Indiana Avenue, which splits Dolton and Riverdale.When Jones read the news about Prevost’s Dolton roots, she thought she was reading an AI-generated article, she said.“I had to do a double take and wasn’t even sure it was real until now,” Jones said as she waited for her sandwich.Dolton has been in the headlines in recent years because of <a href="https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/dolton-henyard-house-new-mayor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">former Mayor Tiffany Henyard’s tumultuous tenure</a>. With a new mayor and the pope’s election, Jones hopes the narrative about her hometown can change, she said.“Look at Dolton,” Jones said. “Now we got a pope.”<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-1024x683.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874939" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1933-1024x683.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dave Brown, owner of Dave’s Cut Above Barber Shop, poses for a photo at his shop in Riverdale. Credit: Patrick Filbin/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Down the street at Dave’s Cut Above Barber Shop, 416 W. 144th St., owner Dave Brown watched news coverage of the Conclave and Prevost’s selection in between appointments.“I think it’s super cool, man,” Brown said. “I was really surprised by the news. To have someone who grew up in Dolton on this kind of scale is special. Dolton has made the news for the wrong reasons recently, and it’s good to be recognized for the right ones.”Jeremiah Ward, who was getting a haircut Thursday afternoon, said he felt pride knowing Prevost came from the same city as him.“One thing about seeing him become pope, it gives you hope that you can really do whatever you want, no matter where you’re from,” Ward said. “Even if you’re from a small town like Dolton, you can reach your dreams.”Larry Gordy said he is not religious, yet he still hopes Prevost’s connection to the south suburban town will have a positive impact on all neighbors.“When people from Dolton tell people where they’re from, they usually say Chicago,” Gordy said. “Maybe now they’ll start saying they’re from Dolton — where the pope’s from.”<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cad6afd wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">Support Local News!
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">874928</post-id> </item>
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<title>Taste Of Kawayan Gives Filipino Restaurant Owner Room To ‘Follow My Passion’</title>
<link>https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/09/taste-of-kawayan-gives-filipino-restaurant-owner-room-to-follow-my-passion/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Molly DeVore]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2025 13:18:24 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Block Club Eats]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jefferson Park]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Norwood Park]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Restaurants]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blockclubchicago.org/?p=873410</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?w=2560&quality=89&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>Raynell Parreno took over the Jefferson Park restaurant a year ago and has been expanding the menu with an eye toward opening new locations.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?w=2560&quality=89&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2596-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>JEFFERSON PARK — Raynell Parreno’s dream is to share his food and his culture with the world. For now, he’s focused on Chicago.Parreno, who grew up in Iloilo, a province in the Philippines, took over Jefferson Park’s popular Kawayan restaurant a year ago. Since then, he has been adding to the restaurant’s menu, incorporating more family recipes and traditional Iloilo dishes such as La Paz batchoy, a noodle soup that originated in Iloilo City.Parreno plans to continue expanding Kawayan’s menu, and he wants to open additional locations.“I have big goals. The more I expand, the more people will know our culture and our food,” he said. “It’s for the community.”<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-1024x683.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874841" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2604-1024x683.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Taste of Kawayan’s pork egg rolls. Credit: Molly DeVore/ Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>The Mariano family ran Kawayan in Jefferson Park’s Veteran’s Square, 4859 N. Milwaukee Ave., for about 10 years. The Marianos named the restaurant Kawayan because the word means “bamboo” in some Filipino dialects and they wanted to honor the resilient plant, <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/11/30/jefferson-parks-kawayan-restaurant-is-looking-for-new-owners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">a family member previously told Block Club</a>. The family announced they would retire and were <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/11/30/jefferson-parks-kawayan-restaurant-is-looking-for-new-owners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">looking to sell the business</a> at the end of 2023.Parreno, who lives in suburban Algonquin, said he learned the business was for sale through a friend who had been a Kawayan customer.“I decided it was time to follow my passion,” he said. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-showcasing-filipino-food-and-culture">Showcasing Filipino Food And Culture </h2>Parreno discovered his love for cooking when he was 10 years old.“My grandmother told me, ‘If you want to eat good food, you should make it yourself,'” he said.Parreno worked in home health care after immigrating to Chicago in 2007, but he kept cooking on the side. Some of his signature dishes are his handmade longaniza, a sweet sausage that Perreno accents with garlic, and his beef bola-bola, featuring beef meatballs and tomato paste.“I would cook for every party, every family gathering, every [Manny] Pacquiao fight, and everyone would always tell me I should start my own restaurant,” he said.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="503" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-1024x660.jpg?resize=780%2C503&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874845" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C660&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C193&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C495&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C990&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1320&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C774&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1289&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C503&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C258&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C455&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7223-1024x660.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Taste of Kawayan’s adobo sa bagoong fried rice. Credit: Provided/ Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Around 2019, Parreno and his family were planning to move back to the Philippines to help care for his aging parents. They sold their home health care business to prepare for the move — and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.Parreno and his family remained in Chicago, and he decided to pursue his dream of opening his own restaurant.After buying Kawayan in spring 2024, Parreno changed the name to <a href="https://kawayanchi.com/chicago-jefferson-park-kawayan-food-menu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Taste of Kawayan,</a> rehabbed the restaurant’s interior and began experimenting with new menu items.Parreno said La Paz batchoy, which he describes as a combination of ramen and pho with beef brisket and pork belly, has become the restaurant’s top seller.Other customer favorites include kare-kare, a peanut-based stew that can be made with vegetables and beef or crispy pork; sisig, featuring crispy pork lechon, onions, lemon-lime juice and mayo; and crispy pata, a fried pork leg.Parreno said he plans to add more dishes from the Iloilo region in the coming months.The Philippines is made up of thousands of islands, home to a diverse array of cuisines and <a href="https://www.splendidtable.org/story/2017/09/22/filipino-food-a-cuisine-of-many-influences" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">cultural influences</a>, Parreno said. The country was colonized by Spain and the United States and was a frequent stop for Chinese traders.The number of <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/06/14/7-new-filipino-spots-to-try-in-chicago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Filipino restaurants on the Northwest Side has grown in recent years</a> with A Taste of the Philippines in Jefferson Park, <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/04/05/umaga-bakehouse-wants-to-bring-filipino-bread-to-chicago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Umaga Bakehouse</a> in North Mayfair near the Seafood City supermarket and <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/05/13/bistro-6050-returns-to-portage-park-with-even-more-international-dishes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Bistro 6050 Plus</a> in Portage Park.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="585" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-1024x768.jpg?resize=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874846" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C600&quality=89&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C450&quality=89&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C300&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C150&quality=89&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C585&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C530&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8170-1024x768.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Taste of Kawayan’s chicahron bulaklak. Credit: Provided/ Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Parreno wants to introduce more neighbors to Filipino food and said he is considering suburban Schaumburg for the restaurant’s first expansion location.“The food that I make, it represents where I grew up, my family, my home,” he said. “I am a proud Filipino.”Taste of Kawayan is open 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Parreno said he plans to expand the restaurant’s hours in the next few months. Taste of Kawayan also offers catering.<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cad6afd wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">Support Local News!
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">873410</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Man Accused Of Logan Square Serial Rapes Pleads Not Guilty</title>
<link>https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/09/man-accused-of-logan-square-serial-rapes-pleads-not-guilty/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ariel Parrella-Aureli]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2025 13:13:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Citywide]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lakeview]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Northalsted]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Logan Square]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Avondale]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Chicago Police Department]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blockclubchicago.org/?p=874836</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?w=2560&quality=89&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1568%2C1045&quality=89&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>Prosecutors and police officials have said DNA evidence linked Chakib Mansour Khodja to a series of sexual assaults in Logan Square and Lakeview dating back to 2022.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?w=2560&quality=89&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1568%2C1045&quality=89&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/LoganRollCall-022125-7-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>LOGAN SQUARE — The man accused of carrying out a series of sexual assaults in Logan Square and Lakeview pleaded not guilty to all charges during his latest court appearance Wednesday.Facing a sweeping set of indictments that involve victims dating back to 2022, Chakib Mansour Khodja, 36, entered his pleas during an arraignment hearing before Cook County Judge Jennifer Coleman, according to court documents. Last month, Khodja was <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/24/as-man-accused-of-logan-square-serial-rapes-indicted-on-more-charges-survivors-feel-vindicated/" data-wpel-link="internal">indicted on the charges</a> as more evidence tied recent sexual assault attacks to him, giving some survivors a sense of relief and vindication, they told Block Club.Khodja’s being charged in five separate indictments, each including nine to 28 charges relating to women prosecutors say he attacked in the neighborhoods between May 2022 and February, according to prosecutors and court documents. Those crimes range from criminal sexual assault with a weapon to aggravated kidnapping, unlawful restraint, criminal sexual abuse, aggravated battery in a public place and sexual assault causing bodily harm.Khodja is also being charged with two misdemeanors for public indecency and sexual exposure in public, which are separate from the indictment cases, according to court documents. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="481" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Screen-Shot-2025-04-07-at-12.29.58-PM-1024x632.png?resize=780%2C481&quality=80&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-862760" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Screen-Shot-2025-04-07-at-12.29.58-PM.png?resize=1024%2C632&quality=80&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Screen-Shot-2025-04-07-at-12.29.58-PM.png?resize=300%2C185&quality=80&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Screen-Shot-2025-04-07-at-12.29.58-PM.png?resize=768%2C474&quality=80&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Screen-Shot-2025-04-07-at-12.29.58-PM.png?resize=780%2C482&quality=80&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Screen-Shot-2025-04-07-at-12.29.58-PM.png?resize=400%2C247&quality=80&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Screen-Shot-2025-04-07-at-12.29.58-PM.png?resize=706%2C436&quality=80&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Screen-Shot-2025-04-07-at-12.29.58-PM.png?w=1072&quality=80&ssl=1 1072w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Screen-Shot-2025-04-07-at-12.29.58-PM-1024x632.png?w=370&quality=80&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Police urge any other victims of the alleged attacker, Chakib Mansour Khodja, 36, to come forward. Credit: Chicago Police Department</figcaption></figure>Khodja has <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/24/as-man-accused-of-logan-square-serial-rapes-indicted-on-more-charges-survivors-feel-vindicated/" data-wpel-link="internal">hired</a> Donna Rotunno, one of Harvey Weinstein’s former lawyers, to represent him.Khodja, who is from Algeria and lived with his wife in Gladstone Park prior to his arrest, was registered to drive a taxi or limousine and was driving for Lyft, <a>according to city records.</a>Khodja is accused of attacking at least six women. Police said the women in those cases were attacked near or inside their apartment buildings, with the attacker using force and often a knife. In some of the sexual assaults, the victims were followed home in the Logan Square area, with their attacker going into their homes before violently assaulting them, victims and police have said. <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/07/logan-square-serial-rapist-arrested-charged-in-18-sex-crimes-against-5-victims-police-say/" data-wpel-link="internal">Prosecutors previously said</a> Kohdja conspired with others to give a woman a ride home from a bar after her request for a ride share was declined. They said he “crawled into the backseat with the victim” and raped her while cutting her skin and grabbing her by the neck.A police spokesperson said an investigation is ongoing when asked about additional suspects involved in the attacks.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-788649" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729.jpg?resize=1568%2C1045&quality=89&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/02/022325-Logan-Square-Sexual-Assault-Colin-Boyle-7729-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A sexual assault incident notice from the Chicago Police Department in Logan Square on Feb. 23, 2025. The police report R. D. number has been blurred out at the request of the victim. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>A pattern of sexual assaults in Logan Square surfaced earlier this year, with victims <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/13/logan-square-sexual-assault-victims-speak-out-as-attacker-remains-at-large-nobodys-gonna-save-you/" data-wpel-link="internal">speaking to Block Club about their stories</a>. The string of crimes caused outrage among Northwest Side residents, with hundreds <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/26/hundreds-pack-logan-square-police-meeting-seeking-answers-on-sexual-assault-cases/" data-wpel-link="internal">packing community police meetings</a> to support the victims and call for a breakthrough in the case.The sexual assaults Khojda has been charged in include:<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Feb. 2 in the 2600 block of North Troy Avenue, where a 21-year-old woman was assaulted.</li>
<li>Jan. 22 in the 2800 block of North Central Park Avenue, where a 21-year-old woman was assaulted.</li>
<li>Jan. 18 in the 2800 block of West Bloomingdale Avenue, where a 36-year-old victim was assaulted.</li>
<li>July 15, 2022, in the 2800 block of West Wellington Avenue, where a 21-year-old woman was assaulted.</li>
<li>May 7, 2022, in the 2000 block of North Humboldt Boulevard, where a 36-year-old woman was assaulted.</li></ul>DNA evidence was crucial to tying Khodja to the cases, as many of the women consented to rape test kits after the attacks, <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/07/logan-square-serial-rapist-arrested-charged-in-18-sex-crimes-against-5-victims-police-say/" data-wpel-link="internal">prosecutors and survivors have said</a>. A victim also picked him out of a photo array, they said.Prosecutors have called Khodja “absolutely a danger to this community,” and police officials <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/07/logan-square-serial-rapist-arrested-charged-in-18-sex-crimes-against-5-victims-police-say/" data-wpel-link="internal">applauded</a> detectives working the case, which took three years.Khodja is a “violent serial predator who literally went out hunting for his victims,” State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke said at a press conference last month.Block Club’s Mack Liederman contributed.Related stories:<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/24/as-man-accused-of-logan-square-serial-rapes-indicted-on-more-charges-survivors-feel-vindicated/" data-wpel-link="internal">As Man Accused Of Logan Square Serial Rapes Indicted On More Charges, Survivors Feel ‘Vindicated’</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/07/logan-square-serial-rapist-arrested-charged-in-18-sex-crimes-against-5-victims-police-say/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Logan Square Serial Rapist Went ‘Hunting’ For Victims, Prosecutors Say</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/26/hundreds-pack-logan-square-police-meeting-seeking-answers-on-sexual-assault-cases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Hundreds Pack Logan Square Police Meeting Seeking Answers On Sexual Assault Cases</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/03/06/police-release-sketch-of-logan-square-sexual-assault-suspect/" data-wpel-link="internal">Police Release Sketch Of Logan Square Sexual Assault Suspect</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/19/desperate-for-answers-logan-square-assault-survivors-urge-neighbors-to-pack-upcoming-police-meeting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Desperate For Answers, Logan Square Assault Survivors Urge Neighbors To Pack Upcoming Police Meeting</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/13/logan-square-sexual-assault-victims-speak-out-as-attacker-remains-at-large-nobodys-gonna-save-you/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Logan Square Sexual Assault Victims Speak Out As Attacker Remains At Large: ‘Nobody’s Gonna Save You’</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/03/logan-square-neighbors-police-on-high-alert-after-3-sexual-assaults-reported-in-recent-weeks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Logan Square Neighbors, Police On High Alert After 3 Sexual Assaults Reported In Recent Weeks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/05/10/logan-square-neighbors-on-edge-after-3-women-attacked-on-humboldt-boulevard-in-separate-incidents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Logan Square Neighbors On Edge After 3 Women Attacked On Humboldt Boulevard In Separate Incidents</a></li></ul><hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cad6afd wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">Support Local News!
<a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/subscribe/" data-wpel-link="internal">Subscribe to Block Club Chicago</a>, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Click here to gift a subscription</a>, or you can support Block Club with a <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/donate/" data-wpel-link="internal">tax-deductible donation.</a></div>
</div></div>Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">874836</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>This Week In Photos: Chicagoan Named Pope, City Clears Englewood Junkyard And More</title>
<link>https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/09/this-week-in-photos-chicagoan-named-pope-city-clears-englewood-junkyard-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Colin Boyle]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2025 12:42:49 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Citywide]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Week in Photos]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blockclubchicago.org/?p=874588</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>PHOTOS: Take a peek at life in the city through the eyes and lenses of the Block Club Chicago staff.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5241.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>CHICAGO — The city <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/da-pope-chicago-loses-its-mind-over-homegrown-pontiff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">lost its mind</a> when one if its own — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost — was named Pope Leo XIV Thursday afternoon.See what Block Club reporters captured while covering the city’s neighborhoods.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874809" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5187-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Faithfuls gather in prayer at Holy Name Cathedral after Chicago’s Robert Francis Prevost was named Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874815" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050825-Pope-Leo-XIV-Colin-Boyle-5262-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Carson Moore, of Lakeview, prays at Holy Name Cathedral after Chicago’s Robert Francis Prevost was named Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Read more: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-named-first-american-pope-and-hes-from-chicago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Pope Leo XIV Named First American Pope — And He’s From Chicago</a><figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874271" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-4940-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to the press after the Green Social Housing ordinance passed during a City Council meeting May 7, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990-1024x681.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874267" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990.jpg?resize=768%2C511&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990.jpg?resize=1200%2C799&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990.jpg?resize=400%2C266&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990.jpg?resize=706%2C470&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050725-City-Council-Colin-Boyle-8990-1024x681.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) speaks out against the Green Social Housing ordinance during a City Council meeting May 7, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Read more: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/07/mayor-johnsons-green-social-housing-plan-passes-city-council/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Mayor Johnson’s ‘Green Social Housing’ Plan Passes City Council</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-1024x683.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-873685" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_6-1024x683.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Two empty lots stretch across 7150-52 S. Normal Blvd. in Englewood on May 6, 2025, their debris cleared a day earlier by the Department of Streets and Sanitation. Officials said the owner failed to comply with a May 2 order to remove vehicles, fencing, tarps and other materials. Credit: Jesus J. Montero for Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="438" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-1024x575.jpg?resize=780%2C438&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-873680" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C575&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C169&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C431&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C863&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1151&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C674&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=900%2C506&quality=89&ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=450%2C253&quality=89&ssl=1 450w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C113&quality=89&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C56&quality=89&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1124&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C438&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C397&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Photos-Jesus-J-Montero-_16-1024x575.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Two empty lots stretch across 7150-52 S. Normal Blvd. in Englewood on May 6, 2025, their debris cleared by the Department of Streets and Sanitation. Officials said the owner failed to comply with a May 2 order to remove vehicles, fencing, tarps and other materials. Credit: Jesus J. Montero for Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Read more: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/06/city-clears-illegal-englewood-junkyard-of-cars-debris-weeks-after-filing-lawsuit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">City Clears Illegal Englewood Junkyard Of Cars, Debris Weeks After Filing Lawsuit</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-871814" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1834-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Playwright Curtis Lawrence poses for a portrait before “The Kings Are Dead,” a play he wrote, is read through at Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave., in Humboldt Park on April 28, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-871825" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/042825-The-Kings-Are-Dead-Colin-Boyle-1964-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Donald Fitzdarryl Barnes, Jordan Gleaves and Savaun Stokes read “The Kings Are Dead,” a play written by Curtis Lawrence, at Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave., in Humboldt Park on April 28, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Read more: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/05/chicagos-black-queer-history-explored-in-staged-readings-of-new-play/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Chicago’s Black Queer History Takes The Stage In Readings Of New Play, ‘The Kings Are Dead’</a><figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="439" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-1024x576.jpg?resize=780%2C439&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-873454" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C169&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C432&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C863&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1151&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=900%2C506&quality=89&ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=450%2C253&quality=89&ssl=1 450w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C113&quality=89&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C56&quality=89&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1124&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C438&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C397&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/ana-maria-charms-1-1024x576.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ana Maria Espinosa, owner of Charm Bar Chicago, 2630 N. Milwaukee Ave., holds up charm necklaces she made that are for sale at her shop on April 30, 2025. Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="439" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-1024x576.jpeg?resize=780%2C439&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-873456" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C576&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1151&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=900%2C506&quality=89&ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=450%2C253&quality=89&ssl=1 450w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=200%2C113&quality=89&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=100%2C56&quality=89&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=2000%2C1124&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=780%2C439&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=400%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?resize=706%2C397&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/charms-1024x576.jpeg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Charm Bar has dozens of charms that range from foods, fashion, nature and more, as seen April 30, 2025. Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Read more: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/06/charm-bar-chicago-a-latina-owned-jewelry-shop-now-open-in-logan-square/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Charm Bar Chicago, A Latina-Owned Jewelry Shop, Now Open In Logan Square</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-1024x683.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-873971" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/MG_2679-1024x683.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A resident cuts up a copy of an eviction notice using large scissors outside Ellis Lakeview Apartments, 4624 S. Ellis Ave., during an April 30 rally. Fifteen Ellis Lakeview residents recently sued to block eviction proceedings after they received the notices, which they allege were retaliation for an ongoing rent strike. Credit: Maxwell Evans</figcaption></figure>Read more: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/07/ellis-lakeview-tenants-sue-to-block-evictions-they-claim-are-retaliation-for-rent-strike/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Ellis Lakeview Tenants Sue To Block Evictions They Claim Are Retaliation For Rent Strike</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-873903" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4550-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">City Colleges valedictorian Eldiar Emilbekov poses for a portrait at Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave., in Dunning on May 6, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-873906" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Valedictorian-Colin-Boyle-4590-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">City Colleges valedictorian Eldiar Emilbekov poses for a portrait at Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave., in Dunning on May 6, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Read more: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/07/this-northwest-sider-immigrated-from-kyrgyzstan-2-years-ago-now-hes-a-college-valedictorian/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">This Northwest Sider Immigrated From Kyrgyzstan 2 Years Ago — Now He’s A College Valedictorian</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874604" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?w=2560&quality=89&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=2000%2C1333&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3396-edited-scaled.jpeg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grant Lendvay is getting to host his fifth annual Grant Fest music festival in Jonquil Park 1-9 p.m. Saturday. Credit: Mack Liederman/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Read more: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/depaul-students-grant-slam-music-fest-to-draw-500-attendees-and-it-all-began-in-his-dads-basement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">DePaul Student’s ‘Grant Slam’ Music Fest To Draw 500 Attendees — And It All Began In His Dad’s Basement</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="439" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-1024x576.jpeg?resize=780%2C439&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-872822" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C576&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1152&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=900%2C506&quality=89&ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=450%2C253&quality=89&ssl=1 450w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=200%2C113&quality=89&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=100%2C56&quality=89&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=2000%2C1125&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=780%2C439&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=400%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?resize=706%2C397&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/new-blv-trees-52-1024x576.jpeg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Crews plant new trees along Logan Boulevard between Albany Avenue and Whipple Street on May 2, 2025. The spot was home to the Logan Square Farmers Market for 18 years. The market’s heavy traffic damaged the soil and killed trees. Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Read more: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/05/logan-boulevard-gets-new-trees-in-area-damaged-by-years-of-farmers-market-traffic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Logan Boulevard Gets New Trees In Area Damaged By Years Of Farmers Market Traffic</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="439" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-1024x576.jpg?resize=780%2C439&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-871366" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C169&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C432&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1151&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=900%2C506&quality=89&ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=450%2C253&quality=89&ssl=1 450w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C113&quality=89&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C56&quality=89&ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1124&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C439&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C225&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C397&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-scaled.jpg?w=2340&quality=89&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/herminio-close-up-1-1024x576.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Herminio Rodríguez smiles next to a photograph he took of an old airplane in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on April 22, 2025. The photo is part of his new exhibit at Oliva Gallery, 3816 W. Armitage Ave., which opens Friday. Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure>Read more: <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/02/humboldt-park-residents-osamenta-photo-exhibit-shows-decaying-yet-resilient-puerto-rico/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Humboldt Park Photographer’s ‘Osamenta’ Exhibit Shows Decaying Yet Resilient Puerto Rico</a><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773-1024x681.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-873898" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773.jpg?resize=768%2C511&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773.jpg?resize=1200%2C799&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773.jpg?resize=400%2C266&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773.jpg?resize=706%2C470&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/050625-Wilbur-Wright-College-Campus-Colin-Boyle-8773-1024x681.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The campus of Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave., in Dunning on May 6, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago</figcaption></figure><hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cad6afd wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">Support Local News!
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">874588</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Austin Family Service Center Raising Money For Building, Flood Repairs</title>
<link>https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/09/austin-family-service-center-raising-money-for-building-flood-repairs/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michael Liptrot]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2025 12:39:39 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Austin]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[How to Help]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Local Groups]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blockclubchicago.org/?p=874775</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>A House In Austin, which offers social and educational support programs for children, was damaged during severe flooding in summer 2023 and is raising $45,000 to address its building issues. ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?w=2000&quality=89&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1188.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>AUSTIN — An Austin family service and support center is looking for help in repairing its basement and roof, which were damaged in severe flooding nearly two years ago.A House In Austin is a parent-child resource hub at 533 N. Pine Ave. that offers social, educational and holistic support for West Side families. The group is leading a campaign, called <a href="https://www.ahouseinaustin.org/raise-the-roof.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Raise The Roof</a>, to raise $45,000 for roofing repairs, electrical upgrades, fence repairs and to fix damages from the <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/07/03/chicagoans-clean-up-dry-out-after-weekend-of-record-rainfall-and-flash-floods/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">summer 2023 flooding</a>.Founded in 2016 by a former Chicago Public Schools teacher, A House In Austin began as Boppin’ Babies & Toddlers Music Class held at By The Hand Club For Kids and nearby Original Providence Baptist Church to engage children and parents. As the class grew, the organization began offering expanded programs before buying its current location in 2020.A House In Austin is celebrating its five-year anniversary in its own facility in July. With the fundraiser, its leaders hope they can finally fix their building issues and focus on the organization’s future.Two years ago, the basement was damaged as torrential downpours caused flooding that devastated the West Side. A House In Austin needs a new sump pump to protect the basement from future floods.Roofing repairs are needed to address leaks inside the house. The electrical system and fencing require upgrades to accommodate expanded programs, leaders said.A House In Austin serves 50-75 families annually who come from Austin, Garfield Park, North and South Lawndale, Humboldt Park, Elmwood Park and Oak Park, as well as some who travel from the South Side.<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/img-4335_orig-1024x682.jpg?resize=780%2C519&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-874766" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/img-4335_orig.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/img-4335_orig.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/img-4335_orig.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/img-4335_orig.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/img-4335_orig.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/img-4335_orig.jpg?resize=706%2C470&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/img-4335_orig.jpg?w=1067&quality=89&ssl=1 1067w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/img-4335_orig-1024x682.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Children participating in the My Fresh Table food education program at A House In Austin, 533 N. Pine Ave. Credit: Provided</figcaption></figure>Programs at the house focus primarily on children up to age 5, with supplemental services for children up to age 12. Children can take advantage of the house’s reading programs, early intervention therapies, play areas, social-emotional learning child care and partnerships with city and statewide entities such as Rush Hospital and state social services.Children’s Research Triangle, in partnership with Rush Hospital, offers a free mental health clinic on-site with individual and group therapy for children and families.Early intervention programs for developmental delays, autism and other developmental milestone challenges for children up to age 3 are provided on-site at the house by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.A House In Austin offers regular events for children and their families. <a href="https://www.ahouseinaustin.org/my-fresh-table.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">My Fresh Table</a> is a four-week cooking course that provides parents with groceries then teaches them about nutrition, budgeting and meal preparation and ultimately empowers families to make healthier food choices, group officials said. A children’s version of the program offers fun and engaging approaches to healthy eating.During the week, children 5 and younger receive child care and participate in early development programs. After-school programs are offered for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The house partners with <a href="https://www.chicagohopesforkids.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Chicago HOPES for Kids</a>, an educational support organization for children experiencing homelessness, to offer homework and literacy support for children through fifth grade. The group hopes to soon offer math support.A House In Austin offers housekeeping services for all families, including open hours for parents to bring in laundry and access to house’s kitchen for meal preparation.Arlene Gunn, an Austin single mother of seven children, has been involved in the A House In Austin community since the organization was founded. Her two youngest children began programs at the house in 2016 when they were 1 year and 6 months old. One of Gunn’s older daughters also has her two children in programs at A House In Austin.“It brought me growth,” Gunn said. “I was able to learn a better way to raise my [younger] kids than my older five kids.”Gunn said her youngest child had seizures when she came to the group, which provided her son with interventions to diagnose his condition. As he entered school, social services offered by A House In Austin helped create an Individualized Education Program for his developmental delays and ADHD.“A House In Austin is a helping hand program open to anybody’s needs,” Gunn said. “If they don’t have it, they know other people that can help you.”To donate to the Raise The Roof fundraising campaign or learn more about A House In Austin, visit <a href="http://ahouseinaustin.org" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">ahouseinaustin.org</a>.<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cad6afd wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">Support Local News!
<a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/subscribe/" data-wpel-link="internal">Subscribe to Block Club Chicago</a>, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Click here to gift a subscription</a>, or you can support Block Club with a <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/donate/" data-wpel-link="internal">tax-deductible donation.</a></div>
</div></div>Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">874775</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Chicago Farmers Markets Return This Month With Fresh Produce, Local Artisans</title>
<link>https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/chicago-farmers-markets-maxwell-street-market-return-this-month-with-fresh-produce-local-artisans/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Leen Yassine]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2025 20:41:43 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Arts & Culture]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Block Club Eats]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Bronzeville, Near South Side]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Citywide]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Downtown]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Near West Side]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[River North, Gold Coast, Near North Side]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Roseland, Pullman]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Things To Do]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blockclubchicago.org/?p=874616</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="666" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?fit=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?w=2000&quality=80&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=300%2C195&quality=80&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=768%2C499&quality=80&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=1536%2C998&quality=80&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=1200%2C780&quality=80&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=1568%2C1019&quality=80&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=400%2C260&quality=80&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=706%2C459&quality=80&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?fit=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>Neighborhood farmers markets are back from Austin to the Loop and Lincoln Square, and the Maxwell Street Market kicks off May 18.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="666" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?fit=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?w=2000&quality=80&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=300%2C195&quality=80&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=768%2C499&quality=80&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=1536%2C998&quality=80&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=1200%2C780&quality=80&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=1568%2C1019&quality=80&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=400%2C260&quality=80&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?resize=706%2C459&quality=80&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Maxwell-Street-Market.png?fit=1024%2C666&quality=80&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>CHICAGO — Popular Chicago farmers markets — including Maxwell Street Market and the city-sponsored farmers markets — are returning to neighborhoods citywide this month.The markets kick off this spring and summer and run through October, bringing fresh produce, local artisans, street food and multicultural programs to Chicago streets. Some neighborhood farmers markets — like the <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/02/lincoln-square-farmers-market-returns-in-may-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Lincoln Square</a> and <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/10/wicker-park-farmers-market-returns-may-4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Wicker Park</a> markets — kicked off earlier this month.Chicago’s longest-running farmers market, the Daley Plaza Farmers Market, returns May 22 to 50 W. Washington St. in the Loop. It’ll take place 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 23, with more than 40 vendors offering fresh and locally sourced goods. There will not be a market June 19.New vendors at Daley Plaza this year include Vangie’s Farm, Onigiri Kororin, DMApothecary and Taste of India.The Daley Plaza Farmers Market will also host a seed swap and seedling sale 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 29, a new addition to the market. Gardeners of all levels will be able to bring seeds to share and browse locally grown seedlings.Other city-sponsored farmers markets include:<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Division Street Farmers Market, 30 W. Division St. (7 a.m.-noon Saturdays from May 17-Oct. 25)</li>
<li>Austin Town Hall Farmers Market, 5610 W. Lake St. (1-6 p.m. Thursdays from June 12-Oct. 30)</li>
<li>Pullman Farmers Market, 11100 S. Cottage Grove Ave. (7 a.m.-noon Wednesdays from July 9-Oct. 29)</li>
<li>Bronzeville Farmers Market, 4700 S. King Drive (10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays from July 13-Oct. 19)</li></ul><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" onerror="if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === 'function') newspackHandleImageError(this);" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Farmers-Market-Entrance-2024-1024x683.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-859030" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Farmers-Market-Entrance-2024.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Farmers-Market-Entrance-2024.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Farmers-Market-Entrance-2024.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Farmers-Market-Entrance-2024.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Farmers-Market-Entrance-2024.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Farmers-Market-Entrance-2024.jpg?resize=400%2C267&quality=89&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Farmers-Market-Entrance-2024.jpg?resize=706%2C471&quality=89&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Farmers-Market-Entrance-2024.jpg?w=1350&quality=89&ssl=1 1350w, https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/04/Farmers-Market-Entrance-2024-1024x683.jpg?w=370&quality=89&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Lincoln Square Farmers Market entrance in 2024. Credit: Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce</figcaption></figure>Maxwell Street — the city’s longest-running open-air market and a Chicago tradition for more than a century — also returns this month with six themed pop-up markets through October. It’ll take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on select Sundays through the spring, summer and fall along Maxwell Street between South Halsted Street and South Union Avenue.Each Maxwell Street market will have vendors selling vintage and rare goods, handmade crafts, resale housewares, clothing and food. There will also be live entertainment, family-friendly activities, Somos Arte Chicago activations and walking tours led by the Maxwell Street Foundation.Vendor applications for this year’s Maxwell Street Market are now open. Learn more and apply <a href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/maxwell_street_market.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">here</a>.Maxwell Street Market kicks off with a “Spring Garage Sale” May 18. There’ll be live entertainment by DJ James Porter, the Ivy Ford Trio, the Vino Louden Duo and Mike Wheeler and Larry Williams.The rest of this season’s Maxwell Street Market schedule:<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>June 8: “Celebrating Chicago Blues” with performances by Omar Coleman Westside Soul, Harmonica Hinds and more;</li>
<li>July 13: “SummerDance at Maxwell Street” with dance lessons;</li>
<li>Aug. 10: “Dog Days of Summer,” a pet-friendly market day with pet vendors and summer activities;</li>
<li>Sept. 14: “Kids’ Edition” market with kid vendors and child-focused entertainment;</li>
<li>Oct. 5: “Happy Birthday, Maxwell Street” market with a special appearance and reading by Avery Cunningham, the author of “The Mayor of Maxwell Street.”</li></ul>“Maxwell Street and the Farmers Markets are more than just places to shop — they’re cultural hubs and living pieces of Chicago’s heritage,” said DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth in a press release Thursday. “This season’s events each spotlight a unique part of our city’s vibrant spirit, from the legacy of Chicago Blues to family fun, dancing, and literary delights.” Learn more about Chicago’s farmers markets and find the full spring, summer and fall schedule <a href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/farmers_market.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">here</a>.<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cad6afd wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">Support Local News!
<a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/subscribe/" data-wpel-link="internal">Subscribe to Block Club Chicago</a>, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Click here to gift a subscription</a>, or you can support Block Club with a <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/donate/" data-wpel-link="internal">tax-deductible donation.</a></div>
</div></div>Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Pope Leo XIV’s First Speech (Translated To English)</title>
<link>https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xivs-first-speech-translated-to-english/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Block Club Chicago Staff]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2025 19:21:27 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Citywide]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://blockclubchicago.org/?p=874722</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="656" height="480" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-2.17.23%E2%80%AFPM.png?fit=656%2C480&quality=80&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Pope Leo XIV, the Chicago-born first American pope, appears before the masses at the Vatican." decoding="async" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, began his first remarks as pope with, "Peace be with you!"]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="656" height="480" src="https://i0.wp.com/bcc-newspack.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-2.17.23%E2%80%AFPM.png?fit=656%2C480&quality=80&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Pope Leo XIV, the Chicago-born first American pope, appears before the masses at the Vatican." decoding="async" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" /></figure>CHICAGO — Pope Leo XIV, the freshly-elected Chicago-born pope, delivered his first speech as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church from the Vatican Thursday.Although he is the first American pope, he delivered his remarks in Italian, with a bit of Spanish.Here is the <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xvi-peace-be-with-you-first-words.html" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Vatican’s English translation</a> of his speech:Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome – the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.Thank you Pope Francis!Thank you to my Cardinal brothers who chose me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel.I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, “With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop.” So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.To the Church of Rome, a special greeting:We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.[In Spanish]:Hello to all and especially to those of my diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, a loyal, faithful people accompanying the bishop and helping the bishop.[Returning to Italian]:To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.Today is the day of the Supplicatio [Plea] to Our Lady of Pompei.Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world.We ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.Hail Mary.<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide"/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cad6afd wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">Support Local News!
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