The Block Club Chicago Podcast

The 1901 Project Promises A Lot. Neighbors Wonder If They Can Deliver.

Plans for a rooftop park next to the United Center that previously called for a soccer pitch and green space have been scrapped in favor of more parking, but project deve

Dungeons & Dragons Is Having A Moment In Chicago -- With Women

An event by the Chicago Tabletop Game Association catering to women, nonbinary and femme people sold out in five days — proof of the growing appetite among women for the

The Last Minute Push To Stop Illinois' Aid-In-Dying Law

Illinois is set to become the first Midwestern state to allow terminally ill patients to seek life-ending medication from their physicians when the law goes into effect o

Is Living In Chicago Detrimental To Your Health? We Ask Rush Doctors

Does Chicago's noise, extreme temperature changes, allergies and varying sunshine add up to a detriment to its residents' health? You asked these questions, and we got an

This City Mushroom Farm Grows Fungi For Top Chefs — And ‘The Bear’

Four Star Mushrooms on the Near West Side supplies to grocery stores and some of Chicago’s most acclaimed restaurants. Its mushrooms have also appeared on the hit FX seri

The Three Giant Trials Captivating The Country This Summer

On today's Sidebar podcast, federal defense attorney Mike Leonard breaks down three court cases this summer that captivated the country.  Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Mike

Yes, Mayor Johnson Can Win Re-Election. Here's How.

He hasn't announced he's running yet, but today's podcast focuses on Mayor Brandon Johnson's chances of re-election. Block Club Editor Mick Dumke and host Jon Hansen sugg

It's Never Been Harder To Be A Kid. How Chicago Parents Can Help.

Over 300,000 Chicago public school students started classes again this week. In Illinois, there are over 1.8 million students.   Each one of those kids is going back to

Why One Chicago Non-Profit Wants All Your Amazon Boxes

EcoShip, which began in 2021 and operates out of an Avondale storage space, collects packaging materials and provides them to local business owners for free reuse. The no

Will The Wettest Summer In South Side History Impact The Fall Election?

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill on Friday that allows more Chicago homeowners to access financial relief for flood damage locally while many communities in the state clean

Turns Out You Can Be Discriminated Against At Work. Here's How.

Patrick Dolan joins the Block Club Chicago Podcast for our biweekly 'Sidebar' episode. Patrick lays out the protections -- or lack thereof -- for thousands Chicago worker

Chicago Has A Literacy Problem. Chicagoans Like You Can Help Solve It

DONATE TO BACK TO SCHOOL WITH BLOCK CLUB There’s no doubt that Chicago has a literacy problem. About 43% of CPS students grades 3-8 met the state’s reading proficiency b

How The Dave Matthews Dump Actually Helped The Chicago River

Dave Matthews’ tour bus emptied its 800-pound septic tank on people taking a cruise 22 years ago this week. One boat passenger thinks the band has paid an unfair price fo

Finally, Chicago Is Getting A Cat Tour Of Its Own This Weekend

Lincoln Square neighbors will be able enjoy a day of cat videos followed by a street tour showcasing the neighborhood’s feline friends this August.  “Caturday” in Lincol

Is The American Justice System The Best? An Outsider Weighs In.

Australian true crime podcaster Jack Laurence joins Sidebar to discuss the American justice system from the outside looking in.  Host - Jon Hansen Guests - Jack Laurenc

The Battle Between Chicago Renters And Landlords Is Heating Up

The fight over the future of renters’ rights in Chicago is heating up, as supporters of a proposal put forth by Mayor Brandon Johnson are blasting a competing measure as

How Much Damage Did The Wildfire Smoke Do To Our Lungs?

The heaviest wildfire smoke in Chicago history has cleared away -- for now. But many Chicagoans are wondering just how damaging it is to our lungs, and if health experts

Is Wildfire Smoke Now A Permanent Part Of Chicago Summers?

As Chicago saw record-breaking poor air quality last week, local leaders advised people to stay inside and mask up to avoid the potential health effects. On today's podca

Spare A Kidney? The Surprising Perks Of Becoming A Living Organ Donor

Roughly 100,000 Americans are waiting for a kidney transplant, and the times to be matched with a donor can approach a decade. On today's Block Club Chicago podcast, spon

Chicago History Discovered In The Rubble Protecting Our Lakefront

Blocks of carved stone from the Walker Warehouse — early examples of famed Chicago architect Louis Sullivan’s lauded ornamentation — have served alongside other rubble fo