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Chicago 2022 In Photos: 52 Moments To Remember From The Neighborhoods

From Rogers Park to Roseland and The Loop to Austin, Block Club's reporters share memorable moments from 2022.

Colin Boyle and Block Club Chicago Staff

8:33 AM CST on Dec 29, 2022

The Chicagohenge phenomenon is seen above Lawrence Avenue in Mayfair at sunrise on Sept. 20, 2022.

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CHICAGO — Another year of bringing you the news from every corner of the city has come and gone.

Chicagoans have seen their fair share of joy, sadness, gains, losses, challenges and triumphs. And we at Block Club Chicago were there ready to document it all.

Here are some moments that stuck with our reporters in 2022:

Rep. Bobby Rush looks on after talking about his plans after 30 years in Congress. Rush, who was speaking Jan. 4 at Robert’s Temple Church Of God In Christ, 4021 S. State St., in Bronzeville, opted not to run for reelection.

Bobby Rush Is Leaving Congress After 15 Terms, But He’s Not Retiring. His Next Mission Will Be To Lead His Bronzeville Church

Johanna Kenney, a teacher at Suder Montessori Magnet Elementary School, holds a sign Jan. 10 while a car caravan in support of the Chicago Teachers Union takes place around City Hall on the fourth day of no school for CPS students amid challenges with the pandemic.

CPS Cancels Classes Wednesday As Teachers Refuse To Work In Schools Until COVID Cases Fall Sharply

Coach Shawn Harrington gives Noah pointers for shooting a layup while he leads youth in basketball practice at Children of Peace Catholic School in the Near West Side on Jan. 14.

Hoops Star Shawn Harrington Is Back Coaching Years After He Was Shot And Paralyzed

DeAna Graziano wears the Gente Fina collaboration jacket Jan. 20 at J.P. Graziano Grocery, 901 W. Randolph St.

Chicago Streetwear Designers Find Success With Quality Pieces That Tap Into Their Mexican Roots

Michelle MacPherson throws boiling water into the air as the sun rises over a steamy Lake Michigan in subzero temperatures Jan. 26 from the Museum Campus.

Gov. JB Pritzker takes off his mask as he speaks Feb. 8 about the end of Illinois’ mask mandate after the brutal Omicron surge in COVID-19 cases.

Mask Mandates End In Chicago And Illinois As COVID Cases Drop

A massive fire destroyed Twisted Hippo Brewery, Ultimate Ninjas Gym and an apartment building near the corner of Montrose Avenue and Richmond Street early Feb. 21 in Albany Park.

Twisted Hippo Searches For A New Home After Fire Destroyed Its Albany Park Brewery

Students participate in a game at Morgan Park High School before it was announced that the students and their parents can go to college on a full ride thanks to Hope Chicago on Feb. 23.

Every Morgan Park High School Student Can Go To College For Free Thanks To Surprise Scholarship

Artem Zyakum helps carry a large Ukrainian flag on State Street as thousands gather during a Feb. 27 rally in support of Ukrainian sovereignty in the Loop.

Hundreds Rally To Support Ukraine, Pushing For Action Over Words: ‘Slava Ukraini, And Screw Vladimir Putin,’ Pritzker Says

U.S. Attorney John Lausch answers questions during a news conference about the federal indictment of Michael Madigan, former Illinois House speaker, March 2 at the Dirksen Federal Building.

Mike Madigan Indicted On Federal Charges, Accused Of Running ‘Criminal Enterprise’ For Power, Money

James Mallett and Mike Nash shop at Go Green Community Fresh Market on its grand opening March 8 in Englewood.

Newly Opened Go Green Community Fresh Market In Englewood Hailed As A ‘Milestone’ After Years Of Work

Cars wait in a blocks-long line for free gas from businessman and mayoral candidate Willie Wilson on March 17 near the Marathon gas station, 340 S. Sacramento Blvd., in Garfield Park.

Willie Wilson Hints At Mayoral Run At $1 Million Gas Giveaway, Says More Free Gas Could Come In Future

People wrote messages to transgender activist Elise Malary and tossed them into flames during a ceremony March 20.

Hundreds Honor Trans Activist Elise Malary In Andersonville Vigil: ‘Elise Faced Hardness And Chose Kindness’

Hannah and Teddy Sacks, of Roscoe Village, peruse the pastries at Dinkel’s Bakery, 3329 N. Lincoln Ave., as customers poured in April 5 upon hearing that the beloved shop was closing.

As Dinkel’s Closes After 100 Years In Chicago, Customers Say Goodbye To More Than Just A Bakery: ‘It’s A Tradition’

Ivan Luis Barajas, performing as Jesus Christ, is crucified during the 45th Via Crucis on Good Friday April 15 on Pilsen’s 18th Street.

Pilsen’s Via Crucis Stations Of The Cross Draws Hundreds Of Faithfuls For Good Friday Procession

Monty, the beloved piping plover, is spotted at Montrose Beach in Uptown of April 23. Monty and his mate, Rose, were Chicago icons for year. But Monty died this summer, and Rose has not been seen in months.

Beloved Piping Plover Monty Has Died At Montrose Beach: ‘He Was The King Of Montrose’

President Joe Biden speaks May 11 at the IBEW 40th National Convention at McCormick Place.

Gloria Allen poses for a portrait in her Northalsted apartment on May 13.

Mama Gloria, Trans Icon Who Mentored Queer Chicago Youth With Her Charm School, Dies At 76

Mel the cat indulges in a mound of catnip May 18 at Cary’s Lounge, 2251 W. Devon Ave., in West Ridge.

Meet The Most Cherished Regular At Cary’s Lounge In West Ridge: Mel The Bar Cat

Shaun turns away May 19 as firefighters hose down the blood from the previous night’s mass shooting. Two people were killed, seven wounded — including Shaun — during a mass shooting near the McDonald’s and Chicago Red Line.

Mass Shooting Outside Downtown McDonald’s Was A ‘Massacre,’ Judge Says As 2 Men Held Without Bail

Fans film as Jhay Cortez performs during the second day of the inaugural Sueños Music Festival May 29 in Grant Park.

First-Ever Sueños Music Fest Brings Celebration Of Reggaeton Downtown, Impressing Latino Chicagoans

The Garcia family, of Aurora, plays in the sand June 15 at Montrose Beach during record-high temperatures.

Chicago Got So Hot Wednesday It Broke A 28-Year Record For The High Temperature

Community organizer Daniel Pogorzelski speaks at a ceremony celebrating the designation of Milwaukee Avenue as a “Polish Heritage Corridor” on June 16.

Milwaukee Avenue Designated ‘Polish Heritage Corridor,’ Honoring Polish Culture From West Town To Niles

Children in Back of the Yards play in water from a fire hydrant during 100-degree temperatures in Chicago on June 21.

Thousands of people marched on June 24 to protest the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, rolling back abortion rights throughout the United States.

With Roe V. Wade Overturned, Illinois And Chicago Leaders Mobilize To Protect Abortion Rights

The Chicago skyline is seen July 7 from the Wild Mile Chicago, a floating eco-park located on the North Branch Canal of the Chicago River.

The Wild Mile’s First Stretch Is Ready, Bringing Floating Gardens, Paths And More To Chicago River’s North Branch

Workers look on July 14 at Shine King, 338 N. Central Ave., in Austin. The store’s longtime owner, James Cole, died July 11, leaving a large gap on the West Side.

James Cole, The West Side’s ‘Shoe Shine King’ Who Helped His Neighbors Find Work, Dies At 78

Kara Crutcher, legal counsel for GoodKids MadCity and the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, speaks at news conference July 28, 2022. The organization pushed back against the city’s changes to its youth curfew this summer.

As Lollapalooza Opens, Activists Threaten Federal Lawsuit Over Chicago’s Youth Curfew

J-Hope and BTS fans flock in numbers to see J-Hope as he closes out the festival at the Bud Light Seltzer stage during the last day of Lollapalooza on July 31.

Lollapalooza Is A Wrap — But It’s Coming Back For 10 More Years (And Maybe Getting Larger)

Co-owners the Rev. Billy and Amanda Simmons pose for an Aug. 1 portrait at Rev. Billy’s Chop Shop, 2424 W. Montrose Ave., in Lincoln Square.

Rev. Billy’s Chop Shop, A Rock ‘N’ Roll Salon And Art Gallery, Set For Grand Opening At New Lincoln Square Location

Gregory and Janeen Bratton pose with okra Aug. 15 at the garden on the corner of 67th Street and St. Lawrence Avenue in Woodlawn.

South Side Gardener Gregory Bratton Helped Create 100 Urban Farms. Again Facing Cancer, He Needs Help Caring For Them

A Golden Knight leaps over Chicago next to a Triple Time Team plane during the Chicago Air and Water Show on Aug. 20.

Air And Water Show Thunders Through Chicago’s Skies In Full Force Despite Weekend Weather

Schurz High School is seen through a window where a bullet went through at the La Michoacana after four teenage students were shot, with at least two critically wounded, on Aug. 24.

Northwest Siders Rally Around Schurz High School After 4 Teens Shot In First Week Of Classes

A fan sings along to “Deceiver” by DJ Chris Lake, who performed Sept. 2 at the 2022 ARC Music Festival in Union Park.

ARC Music Festival Brings Thousands Of House, Techno Fans To Union Park

First responders respond to a Sept. 20 explosion in a 35-unit apartment building that injured eight people in Austin.

One Person Dies After Austin Building Explosion, With Blast Caused From Natural Gas, Fire Officials Say

Mayor Lori Lightfoot folds her hands at a news conference after a City Council meeting on Sept. 21.

Antonio Alcala, Robert Alcala, Maria Alcala and Jose Magaña pose for a photo at Alcala’s Western Wear, 1733 W. Chicago Ave., in West Town on Sept. 29.

Alcala’s Western Wear Celebrates 50th Anniversary With No Plans To Slow Down: ‘I Got A Feeling This Business Isn’t Going Anywhere’

Former President Barack Obama participated in a panel with Bulls point guard Ayo Dosunmo during an Oct. 17 youth event put on by the Obama Foundation at 167 Green Street. in the West Loop.

Barack Obama Surprises Chicago Students With Appearance At Youth Event

Yorvi Sánchez warms his hands as he posed for a portrait in West Ridge on Nov. 1. Sánchez was one of thousands of migrants bused to Chicago from Texas as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s protest of federal border policies.

After The Buses: Meet The Migrants At The Center Of Texas’ Manufactured Crisis

Glenn Ventura has been to almost every Ladies Night at Tavern On Rush. His friends joke that the restaurant doubles as his office since he’s there almost every day. The longtime bar closed Oct. 26.

Tavern On Rush Owner Hints At Future As Regulars Celebrate End Of A Viagra Triangle Era

A Halloween pirate ship shows two skeletons walking the plank Oct. 25. The decoration took over a front patio of an Old Irving Park home.

Skeleton Pirate Ship Crashes Into Old Irving Park Lawn, Lighting Up The Block For Halloween

Cyclists ride past the ghost bike dedicated to cyclist Sam Bell on Milwaukee Avenue on Oct. 28 in River West.

Life And Death In Chicago’s Most Dangerous Bike Lane

Roberto “Capitan” Ferreyra drums during the 43rd annual Muertos de la Risa procession in Pilsen on Nov. 2.

Pilsen’s Muertos De La Risa Procession Keeps Traditions Alive While Honoring The Dead

People listen to politicians speak at a Nov. 2 vigil at the location of a mass shooting that happened in East Garfield Park on Oct. 31.

3 Children Among 14 Shot During Halloween Drive-By In East Garfield Park

Kenneth Griffin, founder of nonprofit No Matter What, tends to his garden at 6505 S. Bishop St. in Englewood on Nov. 3.

Whole Foods’ Decision To Close Englewood Store Inspires Resident To Build Thriving Community Garden

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and first lady Mary Kathryn Muenster greet supporters after he declared victory in the gubernatorial election on Nov. 8. Pritzker beat out Trump-backed candidate Darren Bailey.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Declares Victory In Governor’s Race, Easily Defeating Republican Darren Bailey

CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. responds to aldermen during the transportation committee meeting at City Hall on Nov. 10. The CTA — and Carter, as its leader — has come under intense scrutiny in recent months due to long delays and missing trains and buses.

CTA President Dorval Carter In The Hot Seat As Fed-Up Commuters Want Him To Resign

Ahmed Chaudhry serves a cup of chili for the unhoused community at Touhy Park in Rogers Park on Nov. 23.

At Rogers Park Tent City, Housed And Unhoused Gather For New Tradition: Weekly Chili Night

Former parishioners are taken into police custody Nov. 29 after blocking the truck carrying the La Pietà statue, which was removed from St. Adalbert’s and moved to St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Pilsen, after months of activism to keep the statue in its original home.

5 Protesters Arrested Outside Pilsen Church As Workers Remove Beloved Statue After Monthslong Standoff

Community members gathered at Benito Juarez High School for a vigil on Dec. 19, days after a mass shooting outside the school killed two students and wounded two more.

Benito Juarez Leaders Should Listen To Students After 2 Teens Fatally Shot Outside School, Neighbors Say: ‘This Is Their Community’

Jose Diaz plows the sidewalk on Wabash Avenue in the Loop as subzero temperatures froze Chicago on Dec. 23.

What You Need To Know About The Winter Storm That’s About To Hit Chicago

Travelers and luggage are snarled at Midway International Airport on Dec. 27 after the winter storm wrecked travel plans for thousands.

Southwest Disaster At Midway Leaves Passengers Trapped — With Their Bags ‘In Purgatory’

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