The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Block Club Chicago
  • 4.8 (172)
  • Daily News
  • Updated Daily

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

  1. Heading To The Vatican? You’ll Probably Run Into Some Chicagoans

    3d ago

    Heading To The Vatican? You’ll Probably Run Into Some Chicagoans

    As the sun rose over Vatican City, hundreds — including many Chicagoans — lined up to enter St. Peter’s Square ahead of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV. Reporter Ariel Parrella and Photographer Colin Boyle were there with the mayor and met many Chicagoans who also made the journey.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Ariel Parrella, Colin Boyle 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.

    28 min
  2. Illinois Banning Cellphones From Classrooms — Will It Work?

    5d ago

    Illinois Banning Cellphones From Classrooms — Will It Work?

    Illinois is set to join a growing number of states that have barred cellphone use in the classroom. Just as the Illinois General Assembly reached its deadline to wrap up its legislative session Sunday, the state Senate passed legislation that would largely restrict cellphones in Illinois schools. The legislation would go into effect for the 2027-28 school year, meaning school districts will have a year to plan before the restrictions are implemented. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Makiya Seminera 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
  3. Sidebar: Will US Attorney Resign? + Many Chicagoans Fall For New Scam

    Jun 6

    Sidebar: Will US Attorney Resign? + Many Chicagoans Fall For New Scam

    The local U.S. Attorney’s Office is instituting “sweeping internal reforms” to its handling of grand jury proceedings after a high-profile case against a group of protesters crumbled due to prosecutorial misconduct. But will it save Andrew Boutros' job? And an employment scam promising "pay for likes" costs hundreds of Chicagoans thousands of dollars.  Federal Defense Attorney Mike Leonard and Employment Law Lawyer Patrick Dolan break it all down.  Host - Jon Hansen Guests: Mike Leonard, Federal Defense Attorney Patrick Dolan, Employment Lawyer ABC-7's Report on The Scam 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.

    27 min

  4. Jun 4

    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
  5. How The Bears Got Nothing From Springfield

    Jun 2

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

    May 30

    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
  7. 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
  8. '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
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Block Club Chicago
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    402
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Block Club Chicago
  • Show Website
    The Block Club Chicago Podcast

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