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This Week In Photos: The River Dyed Green, Redeveloping Lawson House YMCA And Lots O’ Politics

PHOTOS: Take a peek at life in the city through the eyes and lenses of the Block Club Chicago staff.

Colin Boyle and Block Club Chicago Staff

8:12 AM CDT on Mar 17, 2023

Crowds pack it in to watch the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Chicago on March 11, 2023.

CHICAGO — Chicago is less than 20 days away from the runoff election — but who’s counting?

Here’s what Block Club reporters covered this week.

The Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023.

Musicians play at Chief O’Neills for St. Patrick’s Day after the river was dyed green on March 11, 2023.

Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas greets people before the South Side Irish Parade.

Read more: Chicago River Dyed Green For St. Patrick’s Day 2023

Ray Wheatley, Jackie Holsten, Tracey Scott and Peter Holsten pose for a photo on the stairwell during a walkthrough of the former Lawson House YMCA in the Gold Coast on March 8, 2023. The building is being converted into 409 apartments with private kitchens and bathrooms.

The former Lawson House YMCA in the Gold Coast on March 8, 2023. It is being converted into 409 apartments with private kitchens and bathrooms.

Read more: Sneak Peek At Lawson House YMCA Renovation, Bringing 400 Apartments To Gold Coast In 2024

Keith Thornton Jr. holds a sign for mayoral candidate and county Commissioner Brandon Johnson as he and Paul Vallas supporters try to enter the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Kenwood on March 16, 2023.

Supporters of mayoral candidate Paul Vallas interrupt a news conference for mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Kenwood on March 16, 2023.

Read more: Tempers Flare As Supporters Of Mayoral Candidates Clash Over Paul Vallas’ Education Record

Rachel Werderits, a teacher at Saint Andrew High School, instructs her students during math class.

Rachel Werderits has a poster in the room assuring students that it’s OK to ask for help and learn from failure.

Read more: Lakeview Teacher Who Wrote Chalk Messages Outside Students’ Homes During Pandemic Is Golden Apple Finalist

Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas speaks during a mayoral forum on public safety at the UIC Forum on March 14, 2023.

Mayoral candidate and county Commissioner Brandon Johnson speaks during a mayoral forum on public safety at the UIC Forum on March 14, 2023.

Read more: Paul Vallas, Brandon Johnson Spar Over Public Safety Plans, Walk Back Comments On Policing At Mayoral Debate

The South Shore Recycling site and adjacent facilities in South Deering as seen from above on March 8, 2023.

Homes in South Deering near Pullman Innovations, 2701 E. 100th St., on March 8, 2023.

Read more: Chicago’s Health Department Does Little To Deter Repeat Polluters, Report Finds

Co-founders Brent Raska and Mike Decker pose for a photo at the recently opened River Room, a multipurpose event space adjacent to Burning Bush Brewery, in North Center on March 13, 2023.

Key lime pie hors d’oeuvres are served at the recently opened River Room, a multipurpose event space adjacent to Burning Bush Brewery, in North Center on March 13, 2023.

Read more: Burning Bush Brewery Expands With Event Venue And Riverside Patio In North Center

Co-owner Angelica Acebedo’s husband, Adam Frint, at the coffee bar.

Read more: Family Celebrates Their Colombian Culture With Magnifico Coffee Shop, Now Open In Avondale

Officials break ground for the Invest South/West development United Yards in Back of the Yards on March 14, 2023.

The former Goldblatt Bros. building at 47th Street and Marshfield Avenue, which is part of the Invest South/West development United Yards, in Back-of-the-Yards on March 14, 2023.

Read more: $58 Million Project Bringing Housing, Retail To Back Of The Yards Breaks Ground

Block Club Chicago hosted a live forum with mayoral candidate Cook County Board Commissioner Brandon Johnson and journalist Laura Washington at Thalia Hall on March 15, 2023.

Block Club Chicago hosted a live forum with mayoral candidate Cook County Board Commissioner Brandon Johnson and journalist Laura Washington at Thalia Hall on March 15, 2023.

Read more: ‘I’m Not Going To Defund The Police’: Brandon Johnson Tries To Set The Record Straight On Public Safety Plan

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