Jailene Cepeda was a mother of two, a beloved sister and a devout Christian. Her family is raising money for her funeral and burial and hope justice will be served after she was fatally shot last weekend in Humboldt Park. blockclubchi.co/3IkiU3W

"Right now, everyone has the responsibility to protect their neighbors." "These really are kidnappings." "To ICE and Border Patrol, you are not welcome in our neighborhoods in Chicago. Leave now." #Illinois #USA #Deportation #EthnicCleansing

Logan Square Family Turns Run-Down Spot Under The 'L' Into A Community Garden A local civil engineer hopes his guerrilla gardening inspires others to feel ownership of their neighborhoods. via Lauren Dixon/ @blockclubchi.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/17/l...

Block Club's Block Party 2.0 is almost here! 📅 Saturday, Oct. 4. 📍 Half Acre Beer Co. 🎶 Live entertainment, local vendors + food + drinks 🤑 FREE Get VIP tickets here: blockclubchi.co/4muFQf3

I love when I get to write about people in our community doing impressive things, like this: A professional boxer and film editor, Olivia Curry is prepping for a big world title fight. She's excited to be elevating women’s boxing and even more thankful to represent Chicago. blockclubchi.co/46hypl3

by @arielparrella.bsky.social. Thousands March Downtown To Protest Trump’s Deportation Threats blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/06/t... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social

Bam Bam update: He's doing well and was treated like a celebrity at his Friday vet checkup. He's got a few more tests for his heart and stomach and is on a series of meds for his UTI and stomach pain, but you wouldn't know it by looking into his deep brown eyes. blockclubchi.co/4lXrtPV

NEW: Some call it the "Death Hospital": Inside a Northwest Side medical center plagued by problems. Patients & staff have reported filthy rooms, broken supplies & a flooded ER at Community First — despite the hospital getting tens of millions in taxpayer grants. blockclubchi.co/3JASNG4

There is a lot going on in the world, but I am popping back in this space to share a yearlong investigation we published today about a hospital on Chicago's Northwest Side that some call the "Death Hospital." Here's why: blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/27/s...

A final Bam Bam update for now: The sweet pup is ready to relax and watch TV after being away from home for more than 2 months. He now faces some medical issues after his rescue, but funds raised by the community will help with his health bills. It was a joy to meet him! blockclubchi.co/3HLy2a3

Welcome home, Bam Bam!

More news like this please!

Bam Bam, an emotional support dog to a blind man, is back home after a search that united Chicago. The dog was dropped off Tuesday night at a Northwest Side police station. Great news from @arielparrella.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/20/s...

OMGGGGGGG they found bam bam!!!!!!!!!!!

Bam Bam, the dog who was stolen from his blind owner, is home safe: "The entire city has been searching for this dog." blockclubchi.co/4msFbvh

GOOD NEWS: Bam Bam has been found and is safely back home with Angel. He was turned into the 16th district station last night by two people who refused to answer questions by officers and quickly left. I hope to get more info soon. blockclubchi.co/4msFbvh

While Bam Bam has still not been found, a team of neighbors and animal lovers have created a digital support network and more flyers to help Santiago. Two flyering events take place 12 p.m. tomorrow in Logan Square+Lincoln Park that neighbors can join. blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/15/c...

On a recent Wednesday, a mother of four named Leda waited for 8 hours to speak to a state case worker about renewing her social service benefits. Humboldt Park's long line for state benefits is back, even though folks don't need to apply or renew in person. ✍️ w/ @minabloom.bsky.social

The never-ending line for benefits is back, with some immigrants sleeping outside to get a spot. blockclubchi.co/4fAq1RR

Missing dog alert! Angel Santiago, of Logan Square, has been searching for Bam Bam since June, when the elderly service dog was stolen from his backyard. Santiago is blind and is asking neighbors for help finding his best friend/emotional support animal."He's our happiness." blockclubchi.co/4mfW5NG

Less than 3 months ago, Vox Media was celebrating Eater for having nabbed 6 nominations at the James Beard Media Awards! Ashok Selvam received the 2025 Local Voice Award for his work at Eater Chicago. He was laid off today.

Humboldt Park actor, comic and performer Melissa DuPrey is trying to raise a tad over $1,000 by Thursday night so she can take a first step in her Las Flores project to showcase historical Puerto Rican women in Humboldt Park. Learn more about the project: blockclubchi.co/4mebe1e

CTA faces "drastic service cuts" if state funding doesn’t come through, an agency head says. blockclubchi.co/46wbF2w

Why Is It So Expensive To Build Affordable Housing In Chicago? For @blockclubchi.bsky.social with @arielparrella.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/28/w...

Impact for Equity Director of Housing @danielkayhertz.bsky.social recently spoke to @blockclubchi.bsky.social's @arielparrella.bsky.social and @michaeljliptrot.bsky.social about the costs of building affordable housing: blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/28/w...

Appreciate this nuanced article on an important issue!

Blues club Rosa’s Lounge is ready to start its next chapter: a record label. Club owner Tony Mangiullo and his wife, Marni Willenson, started Rosa’s Lounge Records to reach a new generation of music lovers and appeal to younger crowds who find music on social media. blockclubchi.co/3IGkehm

Because you needed a video of a group of cute otters chasing a butterfly... 😊

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Jussie Smollett Claims Netflix Doc Footage Will Show Attack Wasn’t Staged I spent the Monday with Smollett as he toured organizations he donated to as part of his settlement with the city. blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/22/j...

Good story here by Maxwell!

ICYMI: The family of Nathaniel “Nate” Fejerang is calling for the prosecution of the Chicago police officer who fatally shot the teen in his head — while it remains unclear who fired an initial shot that led to police killing Fejerang in West Humboldt Park. blockclubchi.co/4eOMwCk

Scientists have released the closest images ever taken near the sun, captured by NASA’s Parker Solar Probe flying 3.8 million miles above the solar surface. See more images of solar eruptions on the sun: wapo.st/3Irm3P3

A vacant Humboldt Park building could be turned into a cannabis dispensary under a new retail development proposal. There's a meeting tonight for folks to weigh in. blockclubchi.co/4lmSqwS

After halting a program that served older Chicagoans, the city has received thousands of calls from homeowners seeking repair assistance, but officials say they can only serve a few hundred. Grateful to have made the pics for this story w/ @tatiwm.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/14/a...

Photographer @colinbphoto.bsky.social and I visited the new home of Constant Agitation Film Lab, an independent lab and studio sliding into Logan Square after gaining popularity and a steady stream of clientele since launching in 2022. It opens tomorrow! blockclubchi.co/4kiFqHo

It's not every day you get to make your photos for work on medium format film! Loved working on this story with @arielparrella.bsky.social / @blockclubchi.bsky.social! STORY: Constant Agitation Film Lab Opens 1st Storefront In Logan Square blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/27/c...

These new charges come after former Loretto COO Anosh Ahmed had previously been charged w/ stealing millions from the safety-net hospital after @blockclubchi.bsky.social's reporting led to his resignation + subsequent FBI investigations. S/O @bauerjournalism.bsky.social

BREAKING: Ex-Loretto Hospital exec Anosh Ahmed stole $300 million from the gov't through COVID-19 testing schemes, prosecutors say. Ahmed took information about Loretto's patients and used that to submit fake COVID-19 testing claims, feds say. blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/17/e...

You love to see it 🍻🍻🍻 Big Congrats to Lake Effect Brewing!

This is exciting! Lake Effect Brewing Company’s taproom and beer garden is finally ready to welcome the community to its new home in Avondale after six years in the making. blockclubchi.co/4jX64p4

Chicago’s Ultimate 2025 Rooftop Guide🍹☀️ We rounded up 70+ open-air bars, lounges and restaurants around the city where you can bask in the sunshine while eating, drinking and more: blockclubchi.co/4e2UYxg

The former Logan Square home of 90 Miles Cuban Cafe is on the market, and hopes are high for another restaurant to move in. blockclubchi.co/43I1176

7 years ago today, laid-off DNAinfo journalists launched @blockclubchi.bsky.social. Since then, we've told nearly 28,000 stories. We’ve grown from 8 to nearly 40 full-time staffers. And our reporting has changed laws, led to criminal charges + uplifted our city. Thank you, Chicago. 🙏

For @blockclubchi.bsky.social's 7th birthday, we're debuting a new "Democracy Requires A Free Press" shirt. It's inspired by a reader who put our mission into a 5-word note. 2 ways to get it: Subscribe at $100: blockclubchicago.org/birthday-sub... Donate $100: blockclubchicago.org/happy-7th-bi...

I caught up with Logan Square and Avondale’s new alderman, Anthony Quezada. We toured some of the ward, checked out construction and met some business owners. I picked his brain on what his priorities are for the ward and got to learn more about him outside of public office. blockclubchi.co/3Zm5p9f

It's been an incredibly busy week, and the @blockclubchi.bsky.social team did an amazing job documenting it all. Please take a look at our photos: This Week In Photos: ICE Arrests Spark Chaos, Bilingual Education Programs Fall Short And More blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/06/t...

Some good news you can (hopefully) use soon. This public bathroom is set to reopen this month after years of advocacy and neighbor complaints. The Boathouse bathrooms reopened this week. blockclubchi.co/4kreuGh

Happy Wednesday! Here’s your midweek moment of zen. 😴 #wolfconservation #ambassadorwolf

Nate Fejerang’s family and loved ones want videos of the shooting to be released and for the officer who killed him to be held accountable. blockclubchi.co/43tGpzm

We weren't short of any strong photos during this abbreviated work week! See what the @blockclubchi.bsky.social team was photographing: This Week In Photos: Shakira Wows At Sueños, 5 Years Since George Floyd Murder And Much More blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/30/t...