Best Block Club Chicago Podcasts (2025)

1
The Lightning Bugs Are Back This Year -- But Will This Be Their Curtain Call? 20:08

Play Pause

3d ago20:08

20:08

Swarms of flying insects are usually a nuisance. But this summer, Chicagoans are lighting up for a big return of lightning bugs. The flying beetles known for their bioluminescence are keeping the lights on across the city — more so than past summers, local bug experts have observed. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Mack Liederman Read More Here Want to…

1
The Foundation of Freedom: Maria Garza on Housing, Healing & Change 11:07

5d ago11:07

11:07

After over a decade behind bars, Maria Garza returned to a world with little support and even less stability. Facing housing insecurity and emotional strain, she saw firsthand the failures of a system that promised rehabilitation but delivered barriers. Determined to break the cycle, she co-founded Challenge II Change, a reentry organization that c…

1
This Episode May Save Your Life -- Important Clues To Recognize A Stroke 23:15

5d ago23:15

23:15

Chicago hospitals have been key to helping more people surviving strokes. Today's episode, sponsored by Rush, explains what signs to watch out for, and how the hospital systems continues to improve outcome for patients. Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Dr. Laurel Cherian More About Rush Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are…

1
Harry Peña: From Prison to Purpose 7:20

11d ago7:20

7:20

When a rash decision changed the course of his life, Harry Peña spent decades behind bars. But prison didn't break him — it revealed his purpose. Determined to turn his painful past into a force for good, Harry founded the Life Impacters Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to disrupting the incarceration and recidivism cycle that traps so many former…

1
Some Chicago Officials Want ICE Agents To Take Off Their Masks 18:31

10d ago18:31

18:31

Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Francia Garcia Hernandez A group of police district council members is urging city officials to prohibit federal immigration agents from wearing face masks and force them to identify themselves when working in the city. The call comes as masked federal agents have been seen making arrests at immigration courts, during r…

1
Chicago's Sunniest Month Is Here — Don't Let It Ruin Your Skin 24:15

12d ago24:15

24:15

Today's episode is sponsored by Rush. July is Chicago's sunniest month. But be careful -- it can age our skin and potentially cause skin cancer. Dr. Samantha Venkatesh from Rush with some useful tips to stay safe and enjoy the sunshine. For more on Rush, click here! Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago…

1
WTF Is Banana Ball And Why Is It The Hottest Ticket In Chicago? 20:10

16d ago20:10

20:10

The hottest ticket for a game in town isn’t for the Chicago Cubs or White Sox. A new barnstorming league of dancing ballplayers making national headlines and packing football stadiums for reimagining the stodgy rules of America’s pastime have sold out Sox Park for two nights between Aug. 15-16. More than 182,000 people applied to a lottery just for…

1
Wendell Robinson: Life Sentence to Reentry Reform 9:36

21d ago9:36

9:36

Sentenced to life in prison at just 19 years old, Wendell Robinson drew his own map to freedom. Now, through his work at Restore Justice, Robinson uses his experience and knowledge to help other formerly incarcerated people navigate the reentry system and find their place in society. Produced by Skylah Martinez, Bing Wang, and Eliza Westhusing for …

1
Why Lake Michigan Has Fallen Nearly 4 Feet Since 2020 20:35

21d ago20:35

20:35

Lake Michigan set a record high in 2020. In Edgewater, the low lake levels have connected two popular beaches while also exposing a protected dunes area to beachgoers. In South Shore, neighbors are relieved the high waters aren’t threatening their buildings. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Madison Savedra This episode sponsored by Rush Want to donate …

1
Sidetrack Could Become The First Gay Bar In An American Airport 12:36

25d ago12:36

12:36

Sidetrack, the city’s largest and arguably most popular gay bar, has applied to open a location at O’Hare Airport — a move that, if approved, would make it the first gay bar inside an airport in the United States. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Patrick Filbin Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club C…

1
Ex-Loretto Hospital Executive Charged With Stealing $300 Million Through COVID Testing Scams 24:25

26d ago24:25

24:25

The former Loretto Hospital executive charged with stealing millions from the safety-net hospital also used fake COVID-19 testing companies to steal about $300 million from the government, prosecutors alleged in a newly unsealed indictment. Former Loretto COO and CFO Anosh Ahmed is among a group of four who now face charges related to the scheme, p…

1
Struggle to Serve: Larry Sapp and the push for political inclusion 9:06

28d ago9:06

9:06

“Struggle to Serve: Larry Sapp and the push for political inclusion” Larry Sapp has dedicated the past 30 years to serving his community. In 2021, he was elected to the Sauk Village Board of Trustees, promising to get the community thriving again after years of decay. His dream was deferred when he was removed from the Board for a decades-old felon…

1
Trump Says ICE Is Cracking Down In Chicago — But The City Vows To 'Resist' 21:40

1M ago21:40

21:40

The Chicago No Kings rally comes as protests have ramped up against ICE and the Trump administration this week locally and in Los Angeles, where the National Guard and Marines have been deployed against the wishes of local leaders. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Francia Garcia Hernadez Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are …

1
Chicago Is Sinking More Than Most Cities. Here's Why. 17:06

1M ago17:06

17:06

Chicago is the fifth-fastest-sinking major city in the United States, according to a new study. While the city is only sinking by a few millimeters every year, experts say the shift could damage buildings and other infrastructure. Reporter - Molly DeVore Host - Jon Hansen Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we a…

1
Shimere Love-Shanklin: From Struggle to Strength 12:02

1M ago12:02

12:02

“Shimere Love-Shanklin: From Struggle to Strength” Finding employment and opening doors that seem permanently closed is a barrier that people with felony records continually face. Shamere Love-Shanklin knows this reality all too well. In this episode, Love-Shanklin shares her reentry journey—navigating the challenges, embracing the triumphs, and re…

1
Chicago’s Escalating Domestic Violence Crisis 28:08

1M ago28:08

28:08

Content warning: This story contains descriptions of domestic violence and abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-863-6338. Local officials say they’re making concerted efforts to reduce domestic violence and raise awareness. Yet a complicated mix of factors can lead to these tragic cases…

1
Rhymes & Resistance: King Moosa uses creativity to advance voting rights 8:08

1M ago8:08

8:08

“Rhymes & Resistance: King Moosa uses creativity to advance voting rights” Did you know that individuals with felony convictions in Illinois still retain the right to vote? Rockford-born hip-hop ARTivist Brian Harrington, aka King Moosa, is trying to spread the word. Sentenced to 25 years in prison at the age of 14, King Moosa experienced the isola…

1
Nurses Remain The Most Trusted Profession -- Here's One Chicago Hospital Where They Thrive 21:29

2M ago21:29

21:29

Today's episode is sponsored by Rush University Medical Center. May is National Nurses Month, and on this episode, we chat with two nurses at Rush to find out why they love their job, and what sets Rush apart. Nursing remains the country's most trusted profession. Medical centers across the country are counting on a new generation of nurses to fill…

1
Season 5 Trailer 0:35

2M ago0:35

0:35

By Reparations Media

1
Block Club Chicago Sues ICE Over Immigration Arrest Records 17:29

2M ago17:29

17:29

Federal immigration officials still haven’t released records showing how many people they rounded up during January sweeps in Chicago or what happened to them afterward. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Mick Dumke READ MORE HERE DONATE HERE Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news…

1
'Art For Zhegagoynak/Chicagoland' Honors Indigenous Voices 18:29

2M ago18:29

18:29

Read More About Woven Being Here Through the perspectives of four collaborating artists with connections to Zhegagoynak—Andrea Carlson (Grand Portage Ojibwe/European descent), Kelly Church (Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Tribe of Pottawatomi/Ottawa), Nora Moore Lloyd (Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe), andJason Wesaw (Pokagon Band of Pota…

1
Uber Wrongfully Charged Riders Downtown Congestion Fee For Months 10:18

2M ago10:18

10:18

A review of Uber receipts showed the company has been routinely adding the $1.50 charge on Downtown rides outside of the surcharge’s time window. In response to a Block Club inquiry, an Uber spokesperson said the company had “mistakenly charged” the congestion fee on rides after 10 p.m. since early January, when the city expanded the Downtown conge…

1
The West Side Teen Operating A Hair Salon In Her High School Bathroom 15:33

3M ago15:33

15:33

A North Lawndale student whose pop-up bathroom hair salon became an online sensation is working to turn her passion for hairstyling and supporting her friends into a business. Host - Iridian Fierro Reporter - Michael Liptrot Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit n…

1
The Illegal Junkyard Operating On City Property For A Decade 17:18

3M ago17:18

17:18

Corroded cars, broken-down trucks and dusty motorcycles have piled up on two lots in Englewood. For years, families have been forced to live next to the collection of mangled vehicles and junk. Still, no one has taken responsibility for the junkyard on the 7100 block of South Normal Boulevard. Public records identify a North Side man as the agent o…

1
Is The Mag Mile Staging A Comeback? 16:17

3M ago16:17

16:17

As questions about Water Tower Place’s future swirl, city leaders say a new plan will prevent the historic mall from becoming another casualty of the pandemic-era retail collapse — and could spark fresh momentum for the Mag Mile’s ongoing revival. Host - Iridian Fierro Reporter - Melody Mercado Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsro…

1
The Chicagoans With The 3,000 Mile Commute 20:04

4M ago20:04

20:04

Mat Riendeau, his wife, and their three kids spend fall, winter, and spring like all Chicagoans. In the summer, they commute to Kodiak Island, Alaska, and really get to work. More About Hook Point Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to deliveri…

1
Chicago Teacher’s Book Explores Life As A Kid In An Immigrant Household 14:18

4M ago14:18

14:18

Teacher Jacqueline Alcántara’s book is inspired by her experience as a first-generation child growing up in a Spanish-speaking household. Families can attend a launch party Saturday in Pilsen. Host - Iridian Fierro Reporter - Francia Garcia Hernandez Guest - Jacqueline Alcántara Tíos and Primos, By Jacqueline Alcántara Want to donate to our non-pro…

1
The Neighborhood Looking For Answers As Survivors Look For Justice 26:07

4M ago26:07

26:07

Six survivors, some of whom were attacked as recently as last month and others back in 2022, have come together to speak out about their assaults in the Logan Square neighborhood. “We want our collective nightmare to end.” Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Ariel Parella Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Bloc…

1
90 Years Of Cheezborger Cheezborger 17:33

5M ago17:33

17:33

There’s now a Billy Goat at both Chicago airports, Navy Pier, near the United Center, and most recently Wrigley Field, with two additional locations for good measure and even more cheezborgers for sale in supermarket freezers. Business is sizzling. And late last year the Billy Goat Tavern turned the corner on 90 years. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - …

1
The Alderman's Office That Kicked A Block Club Reporter Out Of A Public Meeting 17:38

5M ago17:38

17:38

When 25th Ward officials announced the reopening of a controversial Pilsen bar at a public meeting last week, Francia Garcia Hernandez wasn’t allowed to hear what neighbors had to say about it. That’s because Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez’s 25th Ward chief of staff kicked her out, a move media experts say may violate First Amendment rights that protect t…

1
City Tears Down Encampment Tents During Bitter Cold 15:55

5M ago15:55

15:55

City crews removed tents at the Gompers Park encampment Wednesday morning in Mayfair. The tent removals came after neighbors and elected officials pushed for the park to be restored, and as advocates worried encampment residents would be forced out amid subzero wind chills. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Moly DeVore Read More Here Want to donate to o…

1
Are Chicago's Winters Changing Forever? 24:46

5M ago24:46

24:46

Despite this week's cold snap, we have had very little snow in Chicago this winter. After a few years of below-average snowfall, WGN's Bill Snyder discusses weather the whether in winter has changed for good. Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Bill Snyder, WGN-TV Producer Sponsor - Adult Education Classes At The Newberry Want to donate to our non-profit new…

1
Michael Madigan Guilty In Landmark Corruption Case 20:42

5M ago20:42

20:42

The former Illinois House speaker — the longest-serving legislative leader in American history — was convicted by a federal jury of bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud. The jury found him not guilty or deadlocked on other counts after more than a week of deliberations. Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Mike Leonard Sponsored by The Newberry Library - Regist…

1
When A Trip To The Doctor Could Lead To Deportation 21:21

5M ago21:21

21:21

Yuritzi left her home in Michoacán, Mexico, three years ago. Planning to expand her family, she worried about sending her children to struggling schools in her Mexican hometown, where teachers were leaving in droves and kids couldn’t play outside because of gunfire, she said. Over the past two weeks, Yuritzi is living in fear again, this time becau…

1
Lorraine Hansberry's South Side Roots Shaped Her Legendary Career 24:22

5M ago24:22

24:22

Court Theatre’s ‘A Raisin In The Sun’ is honoring Lorraine Hansberry’s South Side Tale 60 Years After Her Death. The cast of South and West Side natives are bringing a fresh “heartbeat” to the Broadway play nearly 70 years after its debut. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Atavia Reed Read More Here Buy Tickets Here Want to donate to our non-profit news…

1
He Was The City's Highest Paid Employee -- Now He's Getting A Raise 15:01

5M ago15:01

15:01

Dorval Carter Jr. is in line for a substantial pay hike. Carter’s tenure as the highest-compensated employee in city government ended when he stepped down as CTA president on Jan. 31, giving up his $391,108 salary. But in a few weeks, he’ll start receiving a $137,000-a-year pension, according to the CTA. As a longtime federal employee, Carter also …

1
Ten Days Of Fear, Confusion, Arrests 21:41

5M ago21:41

21:41

State officials and immigrant advocates are not backing down on efforts to protect undocumented immigrants from President Donald Trump’s deportation surge that has led to “over 100” arrests in the Chicagoland area as of Tuesday. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Francia Garcia Hernandez Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HER…

1
Can Google Save The Loop? 24:29

6M ago24:29

24:29

Google’s $105 million purchase of the Thompson Center in 2022 marked a turning point for Chicago’s struggling financial district. Plagued by high office vacancies and dwindling foot traffic, the area is now being primed for city-backed residential projects and the arrival of thousands of Google employees. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Melody Mercado…

1
How Two Families, And Seven Billion Dollars, Aim To Transform The West Side 16:07

6M ago16:07

16:07

A proposed $7 billion redevelopment plan for the United Center has crossed the latest approval threshold before heading to City Council for a vote. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Michael Liptrot Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to de…

1
Behind The Lens -- Block Club Chicago's Photojournalist Colin Boyle 20:00

6M ago20:00

20:00

Block Club Chicago Photojournalist Colin Boyle chats about how he captures Chicago -- the good, the bad, and the awesome. Follow Colin on Instagram Colin's Work At Block Club Chicago Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, releva…

1
Trump Deportations Starting In Chicago 21:35

6M ago21:35

21:35

The incoming Trump administration is planning large-scale deportations in Chicago starting next week, according to the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times — and the city’s immigrants are preparing. Read More Here More With Cindy Buys Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonpr…

1
The Hemp Loophole And Murky Future Of Smoke Shops 22:48

6M ago22:48

22:48

Ald. Marty Quinn pushed and passed an ordinance that forcing smoke shops selling hemp-derived THC to close while Democratic lawmakers argue over how to regulate the “loophole” products — and who can make money from selling them. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Mack Liederman Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we a…

1
What Is Quantum Computing And Why Is It Coming Here? 21:31

6M ago21:31

21:31

City Council has cleared the way for a multibillion-dollar quantum computing campus to be built on the former U.S. Steel South Works site in South Chicago. Maxwell Evans explains what this means to the neighborhood, and University of Chicago graduate student Chloe Washabaugh explains what it's all about. Read More Here Want to donate to our non-pro…

1
Are We Headed For A Chicago Teachers Strike? 20:54

6M ago20:54

20:54

After eight months of contentious talks that cost CEO Pedro Martinez his job, Chicago Public Schools teacher contract negotiations are entering a decisive phase. Chalkbeat Chicago's Becky Vevea explains. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Becky Vevea Read More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 5…

1
Why The Onion Bought Infowars - For A Moment 16:35

6M ago16:35

16:35

A Texas bankruptcy judge has rejected the sale of conspiracy theory platform InfoWars to Chicago-based satire site The Onion. The decision comes after a dispute, played out over a two-day hearing, between The Onion and another bidder for InfoWars founder Alex Jones’ company. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Clint Worthington Read More Here Listen to Kn…

1
The Stories We Loved In 2024 (Part 2) 29:22

6M ago29:22

29:22

How The Rosenwald Apartments Became ‘A City Within A City’ — And Its Neighbors Became Family Wrigley Field Ballhawks Now An Endangered Species As Fewer Baseballs Reach The Streets How A Plan To Help Migratory Birds At LaBagh Woods Is Making The Entire Forest Preserve Thrive There’s Been A ‘Dry’ Precinct In Ravenswood For 117 Years — But Voters Are …

1
The Stories We Loved In 2024 (Part 1) 26:03

6M ago26:03

26:03

Some of the stories we loved to cover in 2024. West Side Photographer Offers Visual Love Letter To Community With #MyWestSideStory Venezuelan Couple’s Empanadas A Hit In Humboldt Park, Selling Out Daily As They Wait For Work Permits Podhalanka Owner Retiring, Leaving Iconic Wicker Park Polish Restaurant’s Future Uncertain After Being Paralyzed In S…

1
How Joakim Noah Is Building Community — And Preventing Violence — Through Basketball 14:37

7M ago14:37

14:37

The One City Basketball League, made up of teams formed by violence intervention groups, crowned a new champ Saturday. Noah sat down with Block Club to talk about his work in Chicago. Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Iridian Fierro, Michael Liptrot Read More Here Today's Episode is Sponsored By Chase's Coaching For Impact Program More On SydPlayEat Wa…

1
How 'Chance The Snapper' Might Help Cure Cancer 20:43

7M ago20:43

20:43

Alligator expert Frank Robb, who famously caught Chance the Snapper in the Humboldt Park Lagoon in 2019, reports that Chance is now part of a study examining why alligators are less prone to cancer than humans. Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Frank Robb, Environmental Education Awareness Research Support and Services Subscribe To Block Club And Get A Pri…

1
The Never Ending Line 22:13

7M ago22:13

22:13

City officials are winding down Chicago’s emergency response to the new arrivals. But the seemingly endless line outside of the state resource center in Humboldt Park is a visible reminder of the daily struggles thousands still face in the city. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Mina Bloom Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are…