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This Week In Photos: Chicago’s New Mayor Inaugurated, Officer Laid To Rest, A Hospital’s Community Garden 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

7:51 AM CDT on May 19, 2023

Mayor Brandon Johnson and family react after Johnson was sworn in during the 2023 City of Chicago Inauguration on May 15, 2023.

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CHICAGO — The city has been home to big headlines all week, while residents throughout Chicago are making changes for their communities.

Block Club Chicago has you covered from City Hall to your local block.

Here are scene from what our reporters covered this week.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s family reveals Johnson’s name on the Office of the Mayor at City Hall on May 15, 2023.

Former First Lady Amy Eshleman and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot react as Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks after being sworn in as mayor of Chicago during the 2023 City of Chicago Inauguration on May 15, 2023.

Mayor Brandon Johnson signs his first executive orders at the Office of the Mayor at City Hall on May 15, 2023.

Read more: Brandon Johnson Pledges To Reopen Mental Health Clinics, Push Progressive Change At Inaugural Address

The family of fallen Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston grieve at her funeral at Trinity United Church of Christ in Washington Heights on May 17, 2023.

The casket of slain Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston is taken out of Trinity United Church of Christ in Washington Heights on May 17, 2023.

Officers, loved ones and officials gather for the funeral of fallen Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston at Trinity United Church of Christ in Washington Heights on May 17, 2023.

Read more: Aréanah Preston Dreamt Of Being Police Superintendent, Loved Ones Say At Young Officer’s Funeral

Angela Perizes (left) and AK Kritt examine donated seedlings at the community garden’s produce washing station on May 16, 2023.

Read more: Swedish Hospital Launches Community Garden To Grow Fresh Produce For Employees And Neighbors

Anthony Driver Jr., president of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, poses for a portrait at his office on LaSalle Street in the Loop on May 1, 2023.

Read more: Can A New Commission Rebuild Trust In Police With ‘Public’ Search For Chicago’s Next Top Cop?

Craig T. Carrington, a South Shore High School alum and a community court case manager, speaks out against plans to use his former high school as a temporary “respite center” for migrants bussed to Chicago from other states during a press conference Thursday on the former school grounds.

Read more: South Shore Neighbors Sue To Stop City From Opening Temporary Migrant Shelter At Old High School

Alderman-elect William Hall (6th) poses for a portrait next to his block club sign in Chatham on April 14, 2023.

Read more: William Hall, A Lifelong Chatham Resident And Pastor, Is Ready To Begin A ‘New Chapter’ In The 6th Ward

Kathryn Eli smiles as she views her artwork for the first time on the halls of both apartment buildings by Full Circle Communities at 6009 and 6017 W. Lawrence Ave. in Jefferson Park on April 28, 2023.

Read more: Jefferson Park Affordable Housing For Veterans, People With Disabilities Opens With Nature Artwork To Greet Residents

Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) at Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown on April 27, 2023.

Read more: Ald. Nicole Lee Plans To Help The Near South Side Thrive — And Make A New High School A Reality

Miguel Angelo Valesco, one of the migrants staying in the Morgan Park police station, works the plant beds at the Edna White Community Garden.

Read more: Venezuelan Refugees Living In South Side Police Station Find Peace By Volunteering At Community Garden Nearby

Mayor Brandon Johnson and Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th) meet with the migrants who are seeking shelter at the 12th Police District station in Pilsen on May 16, 2023.

Read more: On Visits To Migrant Shelters, Mayor Brandon Johnson Vows To Support New Arrivals — And Existing Residents

Maikel Lombano and Wolfgang Villegas in the office where they are sleeping and living at Christ Lutheran Church in Albany Park, where five migrant families are living, on May 16, 2023.

Read more: As Albany Park Church Takes In Migrants, Its Pastor Urges Others In The City To Do The Same

Elia owner Metin Serbest at his new restaurant on May 11, 2023

Read more: Modern Mediterranean Restaurant Elia To Open In Wicker Park

Pilsen neighbors staged a protest outside El Hogar Del Niño, a neighborhood day care center where leaders have decided to move forward with a merger.

Read more: Parents At Beloved Pilsen Day Care Want To Pause Merger, Saying They Were Left Out Of Decision

Thrd Coffee owner Raoul Adwan behind the bar at his new brick-and-mortar shop in Bucktown on May 16, 2023.

Read more: Thrd Coffee Opening Bucktown Shop This Summer After 3 Years Of Pop-Ups

The BP gas station and store at 810 W. 59th Street in Englewood on May 3, 2023.

Read more: YouTubers And TikTokers Are Flocking To The South Side To Mock ‘The Hood’ — And Some Say The Trend Does Real Harm

Audience members voted on whether they were in support or against The Re:SET concert series from AEG Presents at the May 11, 2023 community meeting.

Read more: As Belmont Cragin Neighbors Vote Against Re:SET Concerts In Riis Park, Outgoing Alderman Defends Festival

Janine Ramirez-Waszkowski co-owns Rivers & Roads Cafe in Edgewater.

Read more: Rivers & Roads Cafe Brings National Park-Inspired Atmosphere To Familiar Edgewater Coffee Route

Roseland native Rodney Trussell is the founder of R City Kitchen, a shared kitchen for local chefs, bakers, restaurants and other food professionals to use and grow in.

Read more: Roseland Native Launches R City Kitchen, A Shared Kitchen For South Side Food Entrepreneurs

People who visit the interactive exhibit will learn about what they can do in the fight for water justice.

Read more: ‘Wishing Well’ Exhibit At Bronzeville’s Fourtunehouse Art Center Tackles The Black Experience With Water

Kemon Johnson, 16, a senior at West Town Academy, said it’s difficult to get interviews for jobs because of his age.

Read more: Unemployment On The Rise For Chicago’s Black Youth, New Study Finds

Valeria Jefffries and Taeshawn O’Neal, 1, play as West Side mothers gather for a Mother’s Day dinner at Giordano’s in the Loop with Project Hope Moms on May 10, 2023.

Read more: West Side Doulas Work To Keep Black Mothers Alive During Childbirth, Creating A Family Along The Way

People playing pickleball at Bauler Park said they were frustrated with the lack of community involvement in the park district’s decision to remove two courts.

Read more: Pickleball Drama Deepens After Park District Removes 2 Of 3 Courts At Old Town’s Bauler Park

A street food vendor’s vibrant umbrella eclipses the intersection of 31st Street and Tripp Avenue in Little Village on May 16, 2023.

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