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This Week In Photos: Lightfoot’s Last Council Meeting, Chicago’s Newest Lions And More

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

7:57 AM CDT on Apr 21, 2023

Ald. Ed Burke (14th) speaks to the press at his last City Council meeting after 54 years as an alderman on April 19, 2023.

CHICAGO — The city went from 80 degrees and sunshine to snowfall and thunderstorms this week.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and some alderpeople said goodbye during a long City Council meeting.

Here’s what Block Club Chicago reporters captured while covering the neighborhoods this week.

Ald. Ed Burke (14th) speaks with Ald. Gregory Mitchell (7th) and Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th) at the last City Council meeting presided over by Mayor Lori Lightfoot on April 19, 2023.

Idris Lockett, dressed as Mayor Lori Lightfoot, gavels in at the last City Council meeting presided over by Mayor Lori Lightfoot on April 19, 2023.

Outgoing Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) is interviewed at the last City Council meeting presided over by Mayor Lori Lightfoot on April 19, 2023.

Read more: Laughs, Tears And Haikus: Lightfoot, Retiring Alderpeople Say Goodbye At Their Final Council Meeting

One of Chicago’s newest lion cubs plays with Zari on April 14, 2023 at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Three curious lion cubs made their debut April 14, 2023 at the Lincoln Park Zoo, running around and roughhousing within their exhibit for the first time.

Read more: Meet Pesho, Sidai And Lomelok, The Lincoln Park Zoo’s Adorable Lion Cubs

Snow falls on the springtime green grass and blooming flowers of Albany Park on April 17, 2023.

Read more: Snow Hits Chicago Days After City Breaks Warm Weather Record — But The 70s Could Soon Return

Pilsen residents speak out about their concerns over two summer festivals planned for Harrison Park.

Read more: Some Pilsen Neighbors Want Miche And My House Fests Kicked Out Of Harrison Park

Two of Isabel Neri Flores’ daughters during the rally outside the Little Village Walmart on April 14, 2023.

Juan Rodriguez with a sign that reads, “Walmart robs the town,” in Spanish on April 14, 2023.

Read more: Little Village Neighbors Slam Walmart For Closing Local Store And Pharmacy

Volunteers with My Block My Hood My City load food into a car in the parking lot of the Chatham Walmart, 8431 S. Stewart Ave., Sunday afternoon.

Jahmal Cole, CEO and founder of My Block My Hood My City, said the group will expand its efforts to distribute food in the community.

Read more: My Block, My Hood, My City Wants To Turn Closed Chatham Walmart Into A Community Center

Mark Rodeghier poses in front of a bookshelf of documents and books about UFOs at the Center for UFO Studies in his Norwood Park basement, on March 16, 2023.

Documents at the Center for UFO Studies in Mark Rodeghier’s Norwood Park basement, on March 16, 2023.

Read more: ‘There’s Intelligent Life Out There’: Chicago’s Center For UFO Studies Celebrates 50 Years Of Trying To Track It Down

The Freeze, 2815 W. Armitage Ave., taken in April of 2023.

Read more: The Freeze Is For Sale — But Owner Seeks Buyer To Keep The Beloved Summer Spot Alive

Rev. Jennifer Stephens stands at the front of Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, 925 W. Diversey Pkwy. The church has faced repeated vandalism of its affirming LGBTQ+ signage, she said.

Read more: ‘They’ve Only Reminded Us What We’re Up Against’: Lakeview Church Supports LGBTQ+ Community Despite Homophobic Vandalism

ChiFresh Kitchen founding member Edrinna Bryant laughs and Urban Growers Collective board president Erika Dudley applauds as Bryant announces the Chicago Solidarity Collective will receive a $2.25 million award from JPMorgan Chase to support worker-owned cooperatives.

Read more: Chicago Solidarity Collective Wins $2.25 Million To Hire Formerly Incarcerated Black Chicagoans Into Workers’ Co-Ops

Skunk Cabbage Books, 2826 N. Milwaukee Ave., has shelves of new titles.

Read more: Skunk Cabbage Books Opens In Avondale With A Focus On Climate, Nature And Community

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