Block Club Chicago

Chicago City Council approved $424 million in public financing for infrastructure around the new Fire Stadium at The 78 development. The funding includes $174 million for utilities and roadways and $250 million for a city-owned parking garage and plaza. Aldermen expressed divided opinions, with some opposing the use of tax increment financing for the parking facility.

QTS Data Center in McKinley Park is reviving its expansion plans for a Chicago Riverfront facility but faces delays due to a voided permit from inactivity. The proposed expansion includes new buildings and amenities, though concerns about environmental impact and infrastructure strain have prompted calls for stricter regulations.

Lincoln Square Alderperson Matt Martin expresses frustration over an ongoing beetle grub infestation at Welles Park despite Park District treatments. The Park District, under a $6 million contract with Christy Webber Landscapes, applied pesticide Acelepryn in spring 2026, but adult beetles emerged in July, prompting a revised treatment plan for late summer and fall. Martin criticized the Park District's effectiveness in addressing the issue.

A Printers Row sports bar, Reserv, is facing eviction due to unpaid rent and noise complaints from neighbors. Current and former employees also allege wage theft, while the owner, Gerald Joseph, claims financial struggles from reduced operating hours to address neighborhood concerns.

A homeless shelter for single adults, prioritizing those 60 and older, is being developed on Chicago’s Far Northwest Side with $13 million in state funds. The non-congregate shelter will offer 40-70 beds in rooms rather than communal spaces, addressing long wait times for shelter placements in the area.

The Edgewater synagogue redevelopment project by Emanuel Congregation and developer Fern Hill has received approval from Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth with revised plans including two buildings, a health club, and affordable housing stipulations. The project includes lakefront access, public pathways, and specific apartment size requirements to meet community feedback.

Chicago local leaders and small business advocates are proposing a 'Small Business Bill of Rights' to reduce regulatory burdens, including limiting fines, streamlining inspections, and addressing compliance challenges. Business owners shared examples of difficulties with city processes, such as unpaid water bills delaying expansions and failed inspections.

A Foodsmart store in Logan Square at 2901 W. Armitage Ave. closed temporarily for remodeling, with an expected reopening in late July or early August. The closure follows past health inspection violations, including a shutdown last year for rodent issues, and the store’s post office remains closed after ownership changes in 2024.

A mixed-use development proposing 40 apartments, including rental townhomes and below-market-rate units, is planned for a vacant lot on the border of Logan Square and Avondale. The project by Studio Oakley includes ground-floor retail and addresses neighborhood concerns about traffic and density, with 8 affordable units required by Chicago's Affordable Requirements Ordinance.

A judge approved a deferred prosecution agreement for Heather Bergdahl, a former Loretto Hospital executive charged with wire fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering. The deal could dismiss charges if Bergdahl meets unspecified conditions within a year, while similar agreements are expected for other executives involved in a scheme to embezzle millions from the hospital.

Contra LLC's proposed second cannabis dispensary in the Loop faces delays due to insufficient community meeting notice and a court ruling that prohibits dispensaries within 1,500 feet of each other, including those with social equity licenses. The proposed location at 170 W. Washington St. is within 1,500 feet of Bud & Rita's, a social equity dispensary that opened this summer.

Chicago is expected to experience heat index values up to 105 degrees from Tuesday through Thursday, with the National Weather Service issuing excessive heat warnings and poor air quality alerts. The city will see high temperatures reaching 94 degrees on Wednesday, though conditions will be less oppressive than an earlier July heatwave. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, seek shade, and stay hydrated during peak heat periods.

Chicago's City Council finance committee delayed a vote on transferring parking meter rights from Chicago Parking Meters LLC to Stonepeak Partners. Ald. Jason Ervin proposed creating a public infrastructure trust to reacquire control, while Mayor Brandon Johnson has remained silent on the sale. Discussions between the city and involved parties are ongoing.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) laid off 162 employees to address a $730 million budget deficit, saving $18 million. The layoffs include central office and citywide staff, with 38 represented by SEIU Local 73 and 25 by the Chicago Teachers Union. The district prioritized maintaining student-serving functions while cutting central non-essential services.

Zenobia Weatherspoon, a 38-year-old woman from Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood, was found dead in a garbage can in an alley. Local officials, including Ald. Stephanie Coleman and State Rep. Lakeshia Collins, have called for a full investigation into her death and highlighted a broader pattern of violence against Black women in Chicago.

A beetle infestation has returned to Welles Park in Lincoln Square, with thousands of green June beetles swarming the baseball fields since July 6. State entomologist Christopher Dietrich confirmed the beetles are the same species that previously plagued the park, and residents reported disruptions during a baseball event as the insects flew erratically and landed on people.

Stella’s Diner was temporarily closed by the city due to an active cockroach infestation and sanitation violations. The closure follows similar issues at The Bagel, a nearby deli owned by the same operator, Marvin Barsky, who has faced repeated inspection failures at both locations.

Hagen’s Fish Market in Portage Park is celebrating its 80th anniversary as the fourth generation, led by Eric Johnson, takes over. The family-owned business has maintained its commitment to quality fish and features one of Chicago's last natural hardwood smokehouses.

Federal funding cuts to Permanent Supportive Housing programs in Chicago could threaten stable housing for chronically homeless individuals, forcing nonprofits to shift to shorter-term transitional housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced plans to deprioritize these programs, risking displacement for vulnerable residents like those at Deborah’s Place.

Fixin’ Franks, a Chicago-based hot dog stand located in Home Depot stores, was founded in 1998 by Conley Shirley and is now owned by his son Jordan Shirley. The business originated as a coffee cart before pivoting to hot dogs based on a suggestion from Home Depot management. Fixin’ Franks has expanded to 17 locations in the Chicago area, using sausages from Eisenberg and Makowski’s Real Sausage Company instead of Vienna Beef.