The owner of the Portage Theater says the space will reopen. He has launched a foundation to pay for repairs. blockclubchi.co/4wWdy1Y
Ariel Parrella
@arielparrella.bsky.social
Logan Square/Avondale/Humboldt Park reporter/periodista @BlockClubCHI | 🚲 🇮🇹 y español. tips + dog photos: ariel@blockclubchi.org
From a nearly decade-long cancer battle to lapsed insurance and a house fire, it's been a very tough time for Barboo the Clown. SE Siders and Region residents have so far pulled together $13K+ to return some of the joy she's spread over the years back to her. blockclubchicago.org/2026/08/27/w...
Woman Who Spent Decades Delighting Kids As Barboo The Clown Loses Everything In Fire
Barbara Syler, the "balloon master" who entertained children for decades around the Calumet region, was displaced by a fire this month amid cancer treatments. Supporters have raised nearly $12,500 to ...
blockclubchicago.org
The Humboldt Park Patriots team is gearing up for a new season on its 1st official football field. blockclubchi.co/4gpnH2d
NEW from @aurabogado.bsky.social: Prosecutors in Illinois fed sensitive information about local residents — including court dates and scheduled jail releases — to federal immigration agents. The consequences for families were devastating. (Copublished with @wired.com) buff.ly/DddITDU
The county prosecutors who became ICE informants
Illinois prosecutors shared defendants’ personal data with federal immigration agents without criminal warrants, public disclosure, or legislative oversight.
injusticewatch.org
The Park District has installed mobile surveillance cameras to monitor the Ronan Park homeless encampment. blockclubchi.co/4g892Zd
Driving to O’Hare could cost more with Illinois Tollway rates increasing next year. blockclubchi.co/3U9wsVw
"Other Washingtons" obscures the monument to George with Black icons who share his name. blockclubchi.co/3RUW2g0
Phase Three Brewing is opening its first Chicago taproom at the former Metropolitan space in Avondale. blockclubchi.co/4q0o6vj
The best brewery space in the city is finally about to be back up and running!
Ariel Parrella@arielparrella.bsky.social · 4w agoBeer news for NW side! Phase Three Brewing Company, which has 2 suburban locations, will open its first city taproom at the former Metropolitan Brewing space at Rockwell on the River later this year in Avondale. blockclubchicago.org/2026/08/06/p...
Beer news for NW side! Phase Three Brewing Company, which has 2 suburban locations, will open its first city taproom at the former Metropolitan Brewing space at Rockwell on the River later this year in Avondale. blockclubchicago.org/2026/08/06/p...
Phase Three Brewing Opening Its First Chicago Taproom At Former Metropolitan Space In Avondale
The suburban brewery will open a taproom at Rockwell on the River later this year and eventually have a kitchen for food, which Metropolitan did not have.
blockclubchicago.org
Jim Collins, 64, broke 34 bones and has had five surgeries since the crash on his birthday. He’s still in the hospital and his recovery will be long, his wife said. This was tough to hear but I’m glad to share the story of support. Read more below. blockclubchi.co/4h8u5vE
Friends Raise Thousands For Humboldt Park Tour Guide Hit By Driver On His Birthday
The crash left Jim Collins, 64, with 34 broken bones, and he's needed five surgeries. He will be out of work for months. But "he is a fighter," his wife said.
blockclubchi.co
Now that the square redesign is in full swing, I spoke to locals about what they think, hearing from drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and business owners. This is one snapshot of what people think.
Block Club Chicago@blockclubchi.bsky.social · last mo.Is the new Logan Square traffic circle easier to navigate? Here's what locals think: blockclubchi.co/4xgSJPB
A sliver of land along the Kennedy Expressway has been reborn as a native prairie. blockclubchi.co/4wiYZ9k
Frē Fest will. bring 4 days of avant-garde music to Logan Square's business strip. blockclubchi.co/4fhAovz
How can Avondale’s Belmont and Kimball area be improved? Neighbors are being asked to weigh in. blockclubchi.co/3TgeNem
"Byczkowski was like a second mom to Thorne’s daughter, Melody. She said when their family was going through a divorce and learning to navigate co-parenting in separate households, Byczkowski readjusted class schedules to ensure Melody could always attend."
Ariel Parrella@arielparrella.bsky.social · 2mo agoAnother story from intern Rory Quealy that made me tear up: “She always made it so that everybody felt good in their bodies,” said 13‑year‑old Dahlia Hoosein, one of Byczkowski’s first students who began dancing with her at age 4. “She was always trying to spread positivity.” blockclubchi.co/4vupW8E
Another story from intern Rory Quealy that made me tear up: “She always made it so that everybody felt good in their bodies,” said 13‑year‑old Dahlia Hoosein, one of Byczkowski’s first students who began dancing with her at age 4. “She was always trying to spread positivity.” blockclubchi.co/4vupW8E
Logan Square Neighbors Mourn Death Of Beloved Dance Teacher: 'She Meant The World To Me'
Deborah Byczkowski, owner of VOLTA Performing Arts in Logan Square, died June 22. She was 37.
blockclubchi.co
Four Logan Square residents have filed the first lawsuit linked to the city’s tenants right pilot program, accusing their a landlord, his realtor and a brokerage company of running afoul of a Northwest Side anti-gentrification law provision. blockclubchi.co/3RigIOS
Logan Square Renters Sue Landlord, Realtor Over Tenant Right Of 1st Refusal Act Violations
The lawsuit is the first legal challenge involving the contentious renters-forward pilot program.
blockclubchi.co
I talked to housing providers about what's at stake for @blockclubchi.bsky.social. blockclubchicago.org/2026/07/13/federal-funding-cuts-for-permanent-housing-could-leave-more-chicagoans-on-the-streets/
Federal Funding Cuts To Permanent Housing For Homeless Could Leave More Chicagoans On The Streets
The federal government plans to move away from funding Permanent Supportive Housing programs, which provide apartments and wraparound social services. It could leave over 3,000 Chicagoans at risk of…
blockclubchicago.org
When Mildred Jenkins found a home at Deborah's Place, it was one of the best things that ever happened to her. After a year in the shelter, she got her own furnished apartment through the nonprofit's Permanent Supportive Housing program — a bed, a dining table, access to food and health services.
A very Friday and very Logan Square story: this is Pedro Paloma and he is very sweet. I got to hang out with him and his housemates last month to learn about his fame and personality and how he is inspiring art, curiosity and accountability. Photos by former intern Zoey Duchene.
Block Club Chicago@blockclubchi.bsky.social · 2mo agoMeet Pedro Paloma, Logan Square’s famous pet pigeon. 🐦 blockclubchi.co/4ybawZH
Unhoused Chicagoans are experiencing an ongoing cycle of displacement as their tent communities — which resemble Hooverville-style shantytowns from the Great Depression — continue to be at risk of being torn down. blockclubchicago.org/2026/07/10/h... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Homeless Encampment Fight Overshadows Long-Awaited Ronan Park Plaza Debut
A celebration of the new Albany Park amenities was disrupted by neighbors arguing over what to do about the unhoused residents living in tents at the park since spring.
blockclubchicago.org
A Logan Square cyclist wants the driver who hit him found as he recovers from his injuries. blockclubchi.co/4ycAn3n
Reuters confirms. 11 more people captured by ICE have been sent to a maximum security prison in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), a country where they have no ties and committed no crimes. reut.rs/4wpbIGU
Eleven more Trump deportees arrive in Eswatini from the United States, lawyer says
Eleven more migrants deported by the Trump administration under a policy of sending them to third countries arrived in Eswatini from the United States on Wednesday, a U.S. lawyer following the case ...
reut.rs
Gillian Brockell@gillianbrockell.com · 2mo agoA few minutes ago, two ICE flights operated by Journey Aviation landed in Eswatini, likely another third-country removal of immigrants to a maximum security prison there. Nineteen people have already been sent there on previous ICE flights in the last nine months. Only two have been released.
OK everybody...still working out some kinks but... A new daily game, with boards written and edited by John Green. hankgreen.com/smush
Artifacts of a Louis Sullivan building, which was demolished in the ’50s, are protecting South Shore’s lakefront. blockclubchi.co/3QWm5TL
