The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Block Club Chicago

The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans. New episodes Tuesdays, Thursdays, or whenever a BIG story breaks.

  1. 1d ago

    Why The Chicago Accent Is Dying

    The so-called “Chicago accent” is one of the city’s greatest exports, alongside Italian beef, deep-dish pizza and up-and-coming sketch comedians. Most associate a particular kind of sound to the average Chicagoan. But there are actually many Chicago accents with different origins. And many of them are dying out.  Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Tanera Marshall Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way. We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media. Ground-level coverage Our neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this  ground-level approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a  neighborhood. Stories that matter to you — every day Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 Chicagoans.  We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them.  Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

    22 min
  2. How The Bears Got Nothing From Springfield

    3d ago

    How The Bears Got Nothing From Springfield

    Despite a Hail Mary heave from the Illinois Senate in the final hours of the spring legislative session, state lawmakers ultimately failed to reach the end zone on a bill incentivizing the Chicago Bears to build a new stadium in Illinois. Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Ben Szalisnki, Capitol News Illinois Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way. We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media. Ground-level coverage Our neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this  ground-level approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a  neighborhood. Stories that matter to you — every day Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 Chicagoans.  We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them.  Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

    21 min
  3. Field Trip! The Smart Museum Celebrates Alma Thomas' Dazzling Abstracts

    6d ago

    Field Trip! The Smart Museum Celebrates Alma Thomas' Dazzling Abstracts

    Alma Thomas (1891–1978) is a singular figure of twentieth-century American art. She developed her form of abstraction – characterized by the dazzling interplay of pattern and hue – late in life, after retiring from a long career as a schoolteacher. Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas draws on the extensive holdings of the artist’s paintings at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and offers an intimate view of Thomas’s evolving practice during her most prolific period.  Host - Jon Hansen Guest - His Mom, Marcia Guest - Galina Mardilovich, Curator Learn More Here! Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way. We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media. Ground-level coverage Our neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this  ground-level approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a  neighborhood. Stories that matter to you — every day Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 Chicagoans.  We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them.  Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

    20 min
  4. Why Women Have More Strokes Than Men — And How You Can Survive One

    May 28

    Why Women Have More Strokes Than Men — And How You Can Survive One

    A stroke that might have killed you 50 years ago — or left you permanently disabled 20 years ago — can now sometimes be treated so effectively that patients go on to live long, healthy lives. But timing is everything… and increasingly, so is understanding your personal risk factors. Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Dr. Sarah Song More, at Rush.edu Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way. We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media. Ground-level coverage Our neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this  ground-level approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a  neighborhood. Stories that matter to you — every day Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 Chicagoans.  We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them.  Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

    21 min
  5. 'Broadview 6' Charges Dropped After Feds Admit To Errors And Misconduct

    May 26

    'Broadview 6' Charges Dropped After Feds Admit To Errors And Misconduct

    Charges against four Broadview protesters accused of impeding immigration officers were dropped Thursday after the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the extraordinary admission that federal prosecutors had committed misconduct during the grand jury proceedings that led to charges being filed in the first place. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Madison Savedra Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way. We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media. Ground-level coverage Our neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this  ground-level approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a  neighborhood. Stories that matter to you — every day Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 Chicagoans.  We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them.  Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

    25 min
  6. Sidebar: Tipped Wage Hike Paused + DOJ's New 'Anti-Weaponization' Fund

    May 23

    Sidebar: Tipped Wage Hike Paused + DOJ's New 'Anti-Weaponization' Fund

    The City Council decisively moved to delay a planned phaseout of the subminimum base wage for tipped workers by two years, stymying one of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s most significant legislative wins during his first term in office. The Department of Justice settled a tax lawsuit from President Trump, establishing a fund to pay Americans who feel they were prosecuted unfairly by the government.  Host - Jon Hansen Guests: Mike Leonard, Federal Defense Attorney Patrick Dolan, Employment Lawyer Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way. We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media. Ground-level coverage Our neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this  ground-level approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a  neighborhood. Stories that matter to you — every day Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 Chicagoans.  We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them.  Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

    41 min
  7. How Lowrider Bikes Are Bringing Together Teens Impacted By ICE Raids

    May 21

    How Lowrider Bikes Are Bringing Together Teens Impacted By ICE Raids

    Teens at nonprofit Bikes & Roses, many children of immigrants or immigrants themselves, are creating unique bikes to help heal after the violence their communities experienced during operations Midway Blitz and At Large. Host - Iridian Fierro Reporter - Alex V. Hernandez Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way. We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media. Ground-level coverage Our neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this  ground-level approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a  neighborhood. Stories that matter to you — every day Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 Chicagoans.  We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them.  Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

    21 min
  8. How Did An Eel Get Into The Chicago River?

    May 19

    How Did An Eel Get Into The Chicago River?

    Last week, Ben Gorashchenko looked down into the Chicago River at the long, twisting, wriggling creature he just reeled in. Gorashchenko was pulling in an American eel — an extremely rare find in the Chicago River. Researchers told Block Club that, to their knowledge, there is just one other known instance of someone catching an American eel in the Chicago River in recent years, when a child caught one in 2017. This catch also presents bigger mysteries — like what finding an eel in Chicago can tell us about the local ecosystem and how exactly this animal found its way to River North. Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Austin Happel, Shedd Aquarium READ MORE HERE Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way. We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media. Ground-level coverage Our neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this  ground-level approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a  neighborhood. Stories that matter to you — every day Since our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 Chicagoans.  We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them.  Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

    16 min

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The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans. New episodes Tuesdays, Thursdays, or whenever a BIG story breaks.

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