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This Week In Photos: Lightfoot’s Goodbye, Migrant Crisis And New Alderpeople

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

9:25 AM CDT on May 11, 2023

A migrant holds a donated Chicago jersey as dozens of South American migrants seek temporary shelter at the Chicago Police 12th District station near Pilsen on May 9, 2023.

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CHICAGO — Mayor Lori Lightfoot made her farewell speech this week — while the next crop of alderpeople prepare to take office Monday.

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

Mateo Vargas, a very young migrant, crawls on the floor of the 12th District station near Pilsen where he and dozens of fellow migrants sought shelter on May 9, 2023.

Personal items and food are strewn outside the 12th District station as dozens of migrants sought shelter May 9, 2023.

Read more: With No Help From City, Pilsen Alderman, Neighbors Move Migrants From Overcrowded Police Station Into Shelter They Built

Mayor Lori Lightfoot delivers her farewell address to a room of supporters at BUILD in Austin on May 8, 2023.

A cardboard cutout of Mayor Lori Lightfoot is used for decoration before the mayor delivers her farewell address to a room of supporters at BUILD in Austin on May 8, 2023.

Read more: Lightfoot Gives Farewell Address With Notes Of Optimism And Hope

Alderman-elect Desmon Yancy (5th) poses for a portrait at 71st Street and Jeffery Boulevard in South Shore on May 10, 2023.

Read more: Desmon Yancy, The First Black Man To Represent Chicago’s 5th Ward, Makes The Jump From Organizer To City Council

A bartender on the second floor of the Bellevue takes a drink order.

Read more: The Bellevue, Replacing Tavern On Rush, Opens Monday After Multimillion-Dollar Overhaul

An attendee yells at a panel of city officials during Thursday’s meeting regarding the city’s plan to open a “respite center” for migrants at the former South Shore High School building.

Read more: Migrant Shelter At Old South Shore School Could Open Next Week As Neighbors Shout Down City’s Meeting On Plans

Alderwoman-elect Ruth Cruz (30th) poses for a portrait at Kilbourn Park on April 17, 2023.

Read more: Ruth Cruz Grew Up As A Young Immigrant During The Bulls Dynasty. Now, She’s Leading The 30th Ward

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Park District CEO Rosa Escareño were joined by community members for a ribbon cutting at the new Park District headquarters May 5, 2023.

Officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Park District headquarters in Brighton Park May 5, 2023.

Read more: New Park District Headquarters Opens In Brighton Park

A red-winged blackbird squawks at Montrose Bird Sanctuary in Uptown on May 4, 2023.

Read more: Heads Up, Chicago: Red-Winged Blackbirds Are Divebombing Earlier Than Usual This Year

Lunt Auto & Tire is moving from Rogers Park to Portage Park to make way for a new dispensary.

Read more: As Rogers Park Pot Dispensary Gets Alderperson’s OK, Owner Of Auto Shop Being Forced To Move Fears For Its Future

Instructor Tarcisio Rojas drills student Robin Moore as she studies to be casino dealers at the practice craps table on May 3, 2023 for Bally’s temporary casino, which is set to open at Medinah Temple this summer.

Block Club Chicago reporter Melody Mercado tries her hand as students study to be casino dealers on May 3, 2023 for Bally’s temporary casino, which is set to open at Medinah Temple this summer.

Read more: Feeling Lucky? Bally’s Opens School To Train Dealers For Chicago Casino: ‘I Love The Controlled Chaos’

Sebastian Gonzalez, 6, spends time with his family while they and other migrants shelter at the 24th District station in Rogers Park, as seen on May 8, 2023.

Read more: As Lightfoot Departs, A ‘Woefully Unprepared’ Chicago Leaves Migrants In ‘Inhumane’ Conditions For Weeks — With No Plan In Sight

Alderwoman-elect Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th) poses for a photo along Argyle Street in the 48th Ward on April 25, 2023.

Read more: How Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth Channeled Anger Over Trump’s 2016 Election To Become Edgewater’s Next Alderperson

South Side business owners gathered Tuesday to announce Soul Delivered, a community-driven delivery service.

Read more: South Side Delivery Platform Soul Delivered Launches, ‘Bringing Money Back To The Community’

Alderman-elect Bill Conway (34th) stands for a portrait on Madison Street on April 27, 2023.

Read more: Former Prosecutor, Navy Officer Bill Conway Readies For His Latest Career Pivot As 34th Ward Alderman

People hang out in hammocks near Belmont Harbor on a warm and sunny Friday afternoon, May 5, 2023.

Tulips bloom near the “Self-Portrait” by Keith Haring sculpture at the AIDS Garden Chicago on a warm and sunny Friday afternoon, May 5, 2023.

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