Chicago
30 articles
Obama Center announces June 19, 2026 opening
In June 2026, the Obama Presidential Center will open its doors, not with dusty archives, but as the nation's first fully digital museum, displaying no official papers from his presidency, according t
Arla to Blend Mediterranean and Japanese Cuisines on Gold Coast Rooftop
Chicago's Gold Coast is buzzing with the promise of ARLA, a new Mediterranean-Japanese rooftop restaurant, yet its opening date remains a mystery wrapped in conflicting reports.
Chicago outdoor pools open June 19 with expanded hours
On June 19, Chicago's 50 outdoor pools will open a full week earlier than last summer, operating seven days a week.
City worker killed biking in Bridgeport after driver cited for violations
A 35-year-old Chicago Department of Transportation employee, Riley O’Neil, was killed Friday after a parked car's door opened into his bike lane, sending him into the path of a semi-truck.
South Side Peace Takeover Offers Alternative to Teen Trends
On May 25, Chicago Police closed DuSable Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street after approximately 1,000 people gathered in Hyde Park.
Bronzeville Alder Blames Parents After Teen Gatherings, Shootings
Over the weekend, seven young people, including a 12-year-old boy shot in the leg, were injured in separate shootings at unsanctioned youth gatherings in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.
Chicago forecast: Rain, heat, and flood risk through Thursday
Just west of Chicago, storms have already unleashed rainfall at rates of up to 3 inches per hour, setting a precedent for the intense downpours expected to hit the city alongside soaring 90-degree tem
Save A Lot operator death threatens Chicago food access
On April 10, the sudden death of Yellow Banana CEO Joseph Canfield triggered a default in the company's $13.
South Side chef killed in mass shooting, community mourns
A 23-year-old woman was shot in the head and remains in critical condition after a mass shooting on Chicago's South Side early Friday.
Chicago's Pride Month Features 'Brokeback Mountain' Stage Show
In Chicago, the stage adaptation of 'Brokeback Mountain,' featuring openly gay actors and a queer playwright, anchors a vibrant Pride Month theater scene.
Exclusion fuels Chicago queer hockey growth and visibility
More than one hundred new members joined Chicago Pride Hockey this year, doubling its typical Pride month growth, even as national hockey bodies moved to exclude trans athletes.
Chicago LGBTQ+ groups seek ongoing support for services
Howard Brown Health alone provides affirming health and wellness care to over 40,000 people annually, offering services from primary care to youth support across Chicago's LGBTQ+ communities, accordin
Foster Beach ramps close June 4-5 amid parking restrictions
Oh, Chicago! Our beloved lakefront, usually a beacon of open access, is facing some serious changes this weekend. Police are gearing up for large youth gatherings at Foster Beach on June 4 and June 5,
Driver Crashes Jeep Into Dunkin' on Chicago's Northwest Side
Two women enjoying their morning coffee at a Chicago Dunkin' were suddenly hospitalized after a 32-year-old woman, driving on a suspended license, accelerated her Jeep directly through the store's fro
Chicago YMCAs offer free summer memberships to teens
This summer, 5,000 teens in the North region alone will gain free access to YMCA facilities, part of a growing trend of local YMCAs offering no-cost memberships.
Old Town Pour House Reopens in The Loop
Old Town Pour House is set to occupy a sprawling 6,206-square-foot space at 120 N.
Spencer Leak Jr. biography and career: A life of community impact
The Leak family, led by figures like Spencer Leak Jr.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican
In a striking display of ideological unity, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson presented Pope Leo XIV with a key to the city, moments after the Pope's historic apology for the Catholic Church's role in sla
Parisian-style chairs planned for Buckingham Fountain pilot
The Chicago Park District just shelled out $54,438 for 100 new green metal chairs, destined to grace Buckingham Fountain in 2026.
Chicago multifamily collapse costs lenders and communities millions
At 7908-7926 South Ingleside Avenue, a 34-unit building seized by Roc Capital was fire-damaged, stripped of plumbing, and occupied by squatters by early 2026.
Lucky Strike Wrigleyville Permanently Closes Its Doors
Employees at Lucky Strike Wrigleyville received little to no warning before the popular bowling alley and arcade permanently closed its doors, leaving many suddenly jobless, according to Block Club Ch
31st Street Beach Swim Advisory Issued Due to High Bacteria
At Chicago's 31st Street Beach, a yellow swim advisory flag was implemented on Thursday, May 28, 2026, when bacteria levels exceeded 235 CFU, according to City of Chicago Beach Lab Data .
Edgewater Street Renamed for LGBTQ+ Activist Lori Cannon
On what would have been her 75th birthday, over 200 people gathered in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood to witness the renaming of a major block of North Broadway to "Honorable Lori Cannon Way.
Mount Greenwood store fights city copyright claim over firefighter swag
A Mount Greenwood store, Shrader's Goods, faces the loss of 70% of its merchandise after the City of Chicago issued a cease-and-desist for selling items with city and Chicago Fire Department logos.
Cortland Street Bridge maintains pedestrian access until winter 2025
For Chicagoans who bike or walk, the Cortland Street Bridge, closed to cars since September, will surprisingly keep one sidewalk open until winter 2025, offering a crucial lifeline through a major reh
Chicago Air Quality Unhealthy Through Thursday Morning
Nearly 9.4 million people across the Chicago metropolitan area face an air quality alert due to unhealthy ozone levels, impacting daily life in Illinois and Indiana, reports Newsweek . While residents
Block Club Unveils 120+ Chicago Sweet Spots 2026 Guide
More than 120 ice cream shops, cafes, bakeries, and paleterias across Chicago are now cataloged in a single, comprehensive guide.
Chicago rooftop bars lounges restaurants guide for summer 2026
This Friday, May 15, La Bella Trattoria on Rush opened its doors at 101 E.
Discover Chicago's unique patios and beer gardens in 2026
With Block Club Chicago mapping over 240 outdoor drinking and dining spots, the city's patio scene has exploded, revealing a hidden world of neighborhood gems far beyond the usual suspects.
Lollapalooza 2026 aftershow lineup revealed before main lineup
Over 80 acts, including Empire of the Sun and Major Lazer, have just been announced for Lollapalooza's 2026 aftershows, even though the main festival lineup is still months away, according to WGN-TV a