The family of a biz owner says he was mistreated while in custody last week — and was set to be deported without their knowledge. Cheema’s family is fighting to stop his deportation to Pakistan over a 1993 removal order that his daughter says they “had no idea” about until her father was detained.

So grateful @gretamjohnsen.bsky.social has managed to bring her voice and smarts and energy back to our lives, and not a minute too soon. Happy Launch Day, Greta! 🤓❤️💪 (and thank you @arielparrella.bsky.social for the great story!!)

many thanks to @blockclubchi.bsky.social for doing a write up on the new show! it IS new and also STILL NERDY. Happy To Be Here launches Dec. 19!!!!!

Missing "Nerdette"? Greta Johnsen is back with "Happy To Be Here," a new and still nerdy podcast. blockclubchi.co/3Y2jBmI

Last Friday, I sat with several Northwest Side housing organizers and elected officials as we chattered our teeth inside the Humboldt Park United Methodist Church, which is finally ready to be transformed into affordable housing and will get a big makeover. blockclubchi.co/48oP60e

Snowy owls were spotted near the Montrose bird sanctuary, drawing crowds to the lakefront. Park blockclubchi.co/3Xg2f5y

Beautifully told by @quinnmyers.bsky.social for @blockclubchi.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/24/h...

Little Village’s 26th Street is slowly coming back to life after months of immigration raids. blockclubchi.co/4rnuRrk

Last week I sat down with Andrea, whose husband was recently taken by immigration officials. Despite navigating a new normal — and a complicated court system — she was all smiles as she told me about her family’s journey to Chicago&the support she’s received from neighbors. blockclubchi.co/3LLpUZ2

A pair of snowy owls on the coast of Chicago

The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund launched in 2020 to provide bond assistance to people navigating the complex immigration legal system. That mission has become more difficult under the second Trump administration, the group said. blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/17/b... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social

Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Saturday redirecting city funds towards food banks and other organizations fighting food insecurity in the wake of changes to SNAP benefits. blockclubchi.co/3XvlckC

Shop Local 2025: A LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses Gift Guide 🎁 From queer literature to tickets to a drag cooking class, you’ll find something for everyone at these LGBTQ+-owned businesses while supporting a marginalized community. blockclubchi.co/3WWQpwZ

Some happy news: The Kratowicz family completed their $90K goal to buy a new van with over 350 people who signed up for the weekend's 5K! www.instagram.com/p/DRFsdNYEYH_/

Friends, strangers and medical practitioners are coming together to support an Avondale family’s need for a wheelchair-accessible van that will help them care for their two sons with complex medical issues. A 5K run/walk this weekend will support their cause. blockclubchi.co/3WUgFbf

Spoke with Chicago Abortion Fund Executive Director Megan Jeyifo and Deputy Gov. Grace Hou about their efforts to protect reproductive freedom as CAF celebrates their 40th anniversary blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/11/c...

On the day when reports continue to say that Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino and agents are to leave Chicago, Bovino shares this highly edited photo from the Bean photo op on Monday. Note the blurred faces. My original story in @blockclubchi.bsky.social: blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/10/b...

Some positive news regarding Chi Arts in Humboldt Park from @chalkbeat.org: The Chicago Board of Education school board decided to keep ChiArts open as a district-run school and provide $1.5 million for the transition. blockclubchi.co/4nHY3G9

Get ready! Two-way traffic around Logan Square is set to begin Nov. 6. It’s arguably the most anticipated part of the project — and the most confusing. Since it's been a long time coming, I broke down how the new pattern will work and why the city chose a two-way design. blockclubchi.co/4qBbgDy

Context: As Old Irving Park prepares for Halloween festivities, neighbors are on edge after masked federal immigration agents unleashed tear gas in the community Saturday, leading to the cancellation of a children’s costume parade. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/a...

Some great friday news for Portage Park!

Apartments and townhomes are being pitched for a vacant Avondale lot. blockclubchi.co/42UMHY0

Ald. Jessie Fuentes, whom federal agents handcuffed and threatened with arrest, has taken the first step toward suing the federal government, saying she wants to hold the agents accountable and show she wasn’t intimidated by violence. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/21/c...

A Chicago high schooler had just returned from chemotherapy. Then ICE arrested her father. blockclubchi.co/4njEhR7

"With no billionaire owners to answer to, @blockclubchi.bsky.social believes their responsibility is to the community." — @charlesmblow.bsky.social Don't miss @jensabella.bsky.social + @afrodip.bsky.social in this new doc series on the crisis facing local news. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymb...

A federal judge pressed ICE and Border Patrol leaders on their tactics and use of tear gas in Chicago. blockclubchi.co/4n9ww05

"Please Show Up"

Yesterday I spent the day in Belmont Cragin talking to neighbors and business owners who have seen a dramatic slump in business. It was emotional to hear that some businesses, all family or locally owned, could close if they don’t see enough sales within the next two months. blockclubchi.co/4ouCMAR

I’m back from vacation, and put together the past few days’ strong images from our @blockclubchi.bsky.social team. GALLERY: Two Weeks In Photos: Chicagoans Stand Up To ICE, Johnson's New Budget And Much More blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/17/t...

"We’ll be fine, honestly. Go out and support a GoFundMe or buy groceries for a Latino neighbor. Or go join one of those rapid response groups that are walking kids and from their schools," the owner said. | blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/17/c... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social

rest in peace D'Angelo. absolute genius, left us with a small but perfect body of work. man, this hurts.

A 15-year-old U.S. citizen was taken by the feds for 5 hours after an East Side protest, his attorney said. blockclubchi.co/42FrSzH

By @avhndz.bsky.social: “I want to be absolutely clear, the only people at risk in this moment are the residents of the city of Chicago. The only people walking around with military weapons, tear gas, rubber bullets are ICE agents,” Fuentes said. blockclubchi.co/3J836l1

“I want to be absolutely clear, the only people at risk in this moment are the residents of the city of Chicago. The only people walking around with military weapons, tear gas, rubber bullets are ICE agents.” | blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/a... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social

What happened to the real estate empire of Suzie B. Wilson & her sister? Just 1/3 of the roughly 800 vacant lots have sold, which leaves hundreds sitting empty and stagnant. And the city doesn't stand to recover much $$$ it's owed. @blockclubchi.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/h...

@blockclubchi.bsky.social, our nonprofit newsroom, is suing the federal government after 4 of our journalists were shot w/ pepper-spray bullets & tear-gassed by federal agents at Broadview. Here's why we're defending our First Amendment right to report — and your right to know:

Students, parents and teachers at ChiArts, the only public arts-focused high school, are pressuring the administration for more transparency around the board’s decision not to renew its CPS contract. “They’re cutting us off at the knees,” one teacher said. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/06/c...

JUST IN: Chicago journalistsa re suing DHS and ICE over force used against reporters: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

14 things to do outside in Chicago this October: blockclubchi.co/4gSkdnj

From @arielparrella.bsky.social: Federal Agents Handcuff Chicago Alderperson At Hospital ER blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/03/f...

“They don’t care about people’s constitutional rights," Ald. Jessie Fuentes told @blockclubchi.bsky.social. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/03/f... More reporting on today’s federal immigration activity across Chicago, per @arielparrella.bsky.social & @themelodymercado.bsky.social.

“ICE has to stop unprovoked, chemical arms attacks on peaceful protesters and on journalists. This behavior is not normal. This is not Putin’s Russia. This is the United States of America,” said Broadview Mayor Katrina Thomas. blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/30/f... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social

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