Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez has yet to announce whether he’ll seek reelection. Meanwhile, Aida Flores, Nubia Willman Batista, Ian Watkins, Leonardo Quintero, and Miguel Chacon are campaigning. My latest for @blockclubchi.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2026/07/29/5...

5 Candidates Are Running For 25th Ward Alderperson. But Will The Current Alder Run?

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez has yet to announce whether he'll seek reelection. Meanwhile, Aida Flores, Nubia Willman Batista, Ian Watkins, Leonardo Quintero and Miguel Chacon are campaigning.

blockclubchicago.org

Reports of arrests and sightings of immigration agents in Chicago have increased in recent weeks, organizers said. Immigration agents are arresting noncitizens in their neighborhoods, at courthouses and at immigration check-ins, they said. blockclubchicago.org/2026/07/09/i...

ICE Arrests Are On The Rise Again In Chicago. Here's What Immigrants Need To Know

Immigration arrests and sightings of ICE agents have increased in recent weeks. "This is a time when the community needs to come together to protect ourselves," an organizer said.

blockclubchicago.org

The parking lot on the former Damen Silos site was built without authorization and in violation of city rules, city officials said Friday. Owner Michael Tadin Jr. failed to comply with zoning, stormwater management, landscape and other requirements. blockclubchicago.org/2026/06/26/d...

Damen Silos Owner Built Unauthorized Parking Lot, Violating City Code, City Says

Michael Tadin Jr. could face fines of up to $1,000 a day if he doesn’t comply with the city’s request to stop using the lot and submit a plan for the necessary permits, according to the city.

blockclubchicago.org

The paved lot is temporary and will be leased for 14 months to crews building a data center. The site was sold in 2022 to MAT Limited Partnership, whose owner, Michael Tadin Jr., also owns a controversial asphalt plant in McKinley Park. blockclubchicago.org/2026/06/24/d...

Damen Silos Site Is Now A Parking Lot

The paved lot is temporary and will be leased for 14 months to crews building a data center, the site's owner said.

blockclubchicago.org

Joabe Barbosa became a social media sensation while documenting his quest to run every Chicago block. On Sunday, he completed his task with the help of over 500 Chicagoans. blockclubchi.co/3SHkkdm

Wearing a white suit and black shirt under his blue cap and gown, Ricardo Hernandez-Navarrete said — after months of hardship — he felt a sense of “victory.” The milestone celebration, a “once in a lifetime opportunity,” seemed unlikely just last week. t.co/bjdQ2mcR1p

Horacio Arroyo, 22, suffered major trauma to one side of his body and has been in the hospital for about five weeks after being struck by a car in Gage Park last month. His family is raising funds for his recovery. blockclubchicago.org/2026/05/28/c... @blockclubchi.bsky.social

Cyclist Hit By Driver In Gage Park Faces Long Road To Recovery — And 'Overwhelming' Medical Debt

Horacio Arroyo, 22, suffered major trauma to the left side of his body and remains hospitalized. His family started a GoFundMe to support his care and recovery.

blockclubchicago.org

Three of four independent candidates in this key race for the Southwest Side filed signatures to be in the Nov. ballot, @jake-sheridan.bsky.social reports. This is a key race – about 66% of people in the district are Hispanic, per 2024 census data. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/05/26/4...

4th District independents get signatures they need to take on Democratic nominee

Three independent candidates submitted thousands of signatures to get on the November ballot in Illinois’ 4th Congressional district, teeing up a rare contested general election.

chicagotribune.com

An update on Ricardo Hernández-Navarrete, a beloved soccer player and Mather High School student detained by ICE. He is coming home tonight, his family said. Just last week, his mother was released. blockclubchicago.org/2026/05/26/c...

CPS Student Detained By ICE For Months Is Coming Home

Ricardo Hernández-Navarrete, a Mather High School student and soccer player, was released from immigration custody Tuesday. His mother, Liliana Navarrete, was released last week.

blockclubchicago.org

With monthly bike tours, cyclists are inviting Chicagoans to support street vendors, starting in Little Village at the end of this month. The effort started amid last fall's Operation Midway Blitz. "We’re gonna treat and support them like family," an organizer said.

Block Club Chicago@blockclubchi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Chicago cyclists are organizing more bike tours to buy out street vendors. blockclubchi.co/3Rml3A8

When ICE fears escalated, Chicago teachers helped students move past fears off the clock. Borderless reports: blockclubchi.co/4n9Ynii

Join me tonight to learn how Block Club reporters continue covering immigration as journalists face increasing threats to freedom of the press.

@classacthr73.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Tonight! With reporters under siege everywhere from the streets of Minneapolis to their homes in northern Virginia, join ClassACTHR73 and a panel of lawyers and reporters to discuss the current physical and legal threats the press faces. Register: buff.ly/SAQzsr9

Congratulations to the talented and relentless team at the Chicago Tribune for winning a Pulitzer for Local Reporting and being finalists for Public Service. Well-deserved recognition and a reminder that local journalism matters. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/05/04/p...

Chicago Tribune wins Pulitzer Prize for local reporting

The Chicago Tribune won the Pulitzer Prize on Monday for its coverage of Operation Midway Blitz, the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement mission in the Chicago area last fall.

chicagotribune.com

Gregory Pratt@royalpratt.bsky.social · 3mo ago

We won the Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting @chicagotribune.com! Our entire newsroom covered Midway Blitz with everything we had. I’ve never been prouder of the Tribune or its commitment to the truth. It’s an honor to be part of this team.

Press Freedom goes beyond one day. I'm honored to participate in a stellar panel discussing physical and legal threats to the press and share what it's like to cover immigration and ICE operations in Chicago. Register: www.classacthr73.org/event-6568604 @classacthr73.bsky.social

@classacthr73.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Join ClassACTHR73 5/6 for a timely panel discussing the current physical and legal threats the press faces. Featuring @franciagarciah.bsky.social @blockclubchi.bsky.social Richard Tofel @propublica.org David McGraw @nytimes.com and Bruce Brown @rcfp.org buff.ly/23jjcBO

'Not politics as usual' Federal appeals court upholds the corruption conviction of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. UPDATED @chicago.suntimes.com story here: chicago.suntimes.com/madigan-tria...

Federal appeals court upholds ex-Speaker Michael Madigan's corruption conviction: 'Not politics as usual'

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals summarily dismissed arguments made by the once-powerful Democrat, who is now serving a 7 1/2-year prison sentence. The ruling sets the stage for a potential bid t...

chicago.suntimes.com

I spent the last months talking to Julia Suhr, who had one of the most enviable jobs in 2024: hostess at Warlord, the city’s most talked-about dining destination — until Trevor Fleming sexually assaulted her amid a secret sexual relationship, she said. blockclubchi.co/41uuuPW

After Former Warlord Chef's Abuse Exposed, An Ex-Employee Speaks Out: 'It Was Assault'

Julia Suhr thought she had her dream job as hostess of Chicago’s hottest restaurant — until her boss, Trevor Fleming, sexually assaulted her when she tried to end their relationship, she said.

blockclubchi.co

For weeks, I spoke to Chicago-area immigrants held in a Michigan detention center months after they were arrested without warrants ––– or ordered deported. Inside the center, the conditions are hard to bear, they said. blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/10/i...

Immigrants 'Wasting Away' At For-Profit Michigan Detention Center Months After ICE Arrests

In a Michigan detention center, Chicago-area immigrants face difficult conditions amid mounting challenges to defend their immigration cases, they said.

blockclubchicago.org

Spring has sprung in the city as Jackson Park’s cherry blossom trees bloomed this weekend. Meanwhile, we have quite the range of stories & photos. Here’s what @blockclubchi.bsky.social reporters & photogs captured while covering the neighborhoods this week: blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/10/t...

Broadview protesters still facing charges are urging prosecutors to drop their cases. “The state is wasting its own scarce resources ... and I am wasting hours of an attorney who could be working to support people who are detained." @blockclubchi.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/02/s...

State's Attorney's Refusal To Drop Charges Against Nonviolent ICE Protesters A 'Waste' Of Resources, Some Say

Over the past month, prosecutors have dropped charges against the majority of protesters arrested by local police outside the federal facility in Broadview. But 20 cases are still pending — and those ...

blockclubchicago.org

A police watchdog is hosting a public hearing Thursday with the city’s top cop to discuss the department’s interactions with immigration agents — but he refused to participate if it featured legal, police reform and immigration experts, records show. blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/01/t...

Top Cop Refused To Attend Hearing On Whether Police Helped ICE If Experts Joined Panel

A police watchdog is hosting a public hearing Thursday with Supt. Larry Snelling to discuss the department's interactions with immigration agents — but Snelling would only appear if experts weren't in...

blockclubchicago.org

“Having walked through a building that has idolized a person as much as him and knowing these current allegations now is very upsetting, to say the least, and traumatizing for some,” said a graduate from Chavez Multicultural Academy. blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/20/a... @blockclubchi.bsky.social

'A Betrayal': Chicago Latinos Want Cesar Chavez's Name Removed From Buildings

Pilsen and Back of the Yards neighbors want to rename an elementary school and post office named after Cesar Chavez following sexual assault allegations.

blockclubchicago.org

Only one name appears on the Democratic primary ballot for the 4th Congressional District: Patty García. Yet she could face a slew of challengers come the general election this November. I dove deep into what U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" García's retirement means for this historically Latino district.

Block Club Chicago@blockclubchi.bsky.social · 5mo ago

As Chuy García retires, independents see an opportunity for a new era of Latino leadership. blockclubchi.co/4dm1TU0

🔔 Government officials are citing journalism as "doxxing" to threaten press freedom. Join our webinar with @telliotter.bsky.social, @royalpratt.bsky.social, @sovernnation.bsky.social, and @charlie4change.bsky.social to learn more. 🗓️ March 4, 2 pm ET RSVP: freedom.press/journalism-isnt-doxxing

Of the 32 people improperly arrested without warrants, 11 are believed to still be in detention, another 11 have left the country and 10 are believed to have been released under various conditions, @mollydevore.bsky.social reports. blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/27/m...

More Than 30 Warrantless Midway Blitz Arrests Violated Consent Decree, Judge Rules

A federal judge ordered immigration officials to release those affected by his order by noon Thursday.

blockclubchicago.org

Federal officials detained a father of 3 for months, holding him away from his children, his job, and his dog, even weeks after telling a judge they planned to release him. His arrest violated a consent decree over arrests w/o a warrant, the feds acknowledged. blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/24/i...

Immigrant Father Of 3 Reunites With Family After Being Unlawfully Arrested During Midway Blitz

José Luis Téllez Fernández was detained — away from his children, his job, his dog — for weeks, even after immigration authorities told a federal judge they would release him. Hundreds of people unlaw...

blockclubchicago.org

Warlord star chef Trevor Fleming has been sharing sexual photos of women without consent and berating staffers for years, witnesses said. It was an open secret in the industry ––and it’s time for accountability, they said. Must read by@arielparrella.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/19/w...

Warlord Chef's Abuse Went Unchecked For Years, Women And Ex-Workers Say

Warlord star chef Trevor Fleming has been sharing sexual photos of women without consent and berating staffers for years, witnesses said. It was an open secret in the industry — and it's time for acco...

blockclubchicago.org

Far Southwest Side & Beverly neighbors, this one is for you. Subscribe: blockclubchicago.org/newsletters/

Hannah Boufford@hannahbouf.bsky.social · 6mo ago

NEW NEWSLETTER ALERT 🪩 @jimrlynch.bsky.social's Beverly & Far Southwest Side newsletter is here! It's @blockclubchi.bsky.social's first new neighborhood newsletter since 2022 Read here: newsletter.blockclubchi.org/index.php?ac... Sign up: blockclubchicago.org/newsletters/

An immigration judge fast-tracked dozens of Somali asylum-seekers' cases Tuesday. Legal advocates and local officials said the Trump administration is using immigration courts to target asylum-seekers as part of its deportation efforts. blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/18/i...

Immigration Judge Fast-Tracks Asylum Hearings For Local Somali Asylum-Seekers

Legal advocates and local officials said the Trump administration is using immigration courts to target asylum-seekers as part of its deportation efforts — and that fast-tracking cases means they won'...

blockclubchicago.org

Court documents detailing a recent FBI raid on a Washington Post reporter offer some important insights into risks to journalists and potential sources, and what can be done in response.

Five security lessons from the FBI’s Washington Post raid

Court documents show how investigators can track digital activities, and reveal ways to harden journalists’ devices

freedom.press

A Grammy-nominated mariachi with roots in Chicago returns to Pilsen on Sunday for a tribute concert for Vicente “Chente” Fernández. More on the band's history and its efforts to bring mariachi to bicultural audiences @blockclubchi.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/11/g...

Grammy-Nominated Mariachi Herencia De México Returns To Thalia Hall Sunday

The mariachi band will also play next month at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Lincoln Square as part of the band's "La Nueva Generación" tour.

blockclubchicago.org