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Belmont Cragin United hosts seven meetups Tuesday night to assemble safety whistles that alert residents to immigration enforcement nearby. The Whistlemania event encourages community participation at local restaurants and shops in six neighborhoods. Attendees can support by purchasing whistles through an Amazon Wishlist or volunteering.
Open House Chicago kicks off its 15th season this weekend, offering free tours of 210 architectural sites across 25 neighborhoods. New attractions include the Auditorium Building at Roosevelt University and the National Public Housing Museum. The event also features over 40 programs, including a photography contest and guided tours.
Southside Market will open in Chatham on October 24, offering fresh, locally sourced groceries in a food desert. The community-owned micro-grocery store, occupying 1,400 square feet, aims to meet basic grocery needs and promote local vendors. The market's development prioritized community input, with 82 invested owners aiming to reach 300 by opening day.
Chicago's largest indoor pickleball facility, SPF, plans to expand with new courts in Irving Park and Hyde Park by year-end. The flagship location in Lincoln Park has attracted 26,000 visitors since its opening in January 2024, aiming to promote community engagement through the sport.
Chicago Cat Clinic, the first feline-specific veterinary clinic in the city, celebrates 50 years of dedicated cat care. Founded by Barbara Stein in 1975, the clinic has become a trusted destination for cat owners, attracting clients from as far as Indiana and Wisconsin. Stein's pioneering efforts transformed feline veterinary medicine, making significant advancements in the field.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will increase fares by 25 cents starting February 1, raising bus and train rides to $2.50 and $2.75, respectively. This marks the first fare hike since 2018 and aims to generate additional revenue amid a significant budget deficit.
A city committee approved plans for taller and denser development along Broadway in Edgewater and Uptown on Tuesday. The zoning changes aim to address rising housing costs and gentrification concerns, though they face opposition from some residents fearing loss of small businesses and community input. The proposal will now go to the full City Council for a vote.
A Chicago police officer, David Deleon, received a 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to sexually abusing minors. The charges stemmed from an investigation by Norridge police, which revealed evidence of Deleon's sexual assaults and child pornography. He had been on administrative leave since his arrest in 2023.
Neighbors in Uptown are fighting to save the Chatelaine and Northmere, two remaining single-room occupancy buildings, from closure. The potential loss of these buildings could displace long-term residents, many of whom rely on affordable housing as a last resort before homelessness. Local officials and housing advocates are urging action to protect these vital accommodations.
Federal agents deployed tear gas in Albany Park as residents intervened to prevent the detention of a neighbor. Gabriel Paez and Megan Dougherty filmed the confrontation, which escalated when neighbors formed a human chain to block the agents' path. The incident highlights growing tensions during Operation Midway Blitz, an immigration enforcement effort.