Block Club Chicago
Justin Laurence

Articles By Justin Laurence

Bronzeville, Near South Side Primary category in which blog post is published

Cannabis Equity Groups Helping Chicagoans Clear Old Weed Charges, ‘Righting The Wrongs Of The War On Drugs’

Although weed is now legal, old drug charges are preventing some Chicagoans from renting an apartment or getting a job.

Downtown Primary category in which blog post is published

CPS Board Votes To Keep Police Officers In Schools — Again

This is the second time the Chicago Public Schools board has rebuffed a proposal to formally end the district's school resource officer program in the face of vociferous demonstrations from young activists.

Downtown Primary category in which blog post is published

Proposed Gold Coast Weed Dispensary Rejected After Neighbors Put Up A Fight

It was the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals' first rejection of a pot dispensary location.

Near North Side, River North Primary category in which blog post is published

Weed Dispensary Wants To Open In The Gold Coast, But Neighbors And Bar Owners Say It’s A Bad Fit For The Neighborhood

The Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a permit request for the dispensary Friday.

Downtown Primary category in which blog post is published

At Tense Downtown Protest, Police ‘Kettle’ Activists — And Aldermen Have Questions

Police boxed in protesters in the Loop Saturday, employing a controversial tactic known as "kettling." The tactic has led to lawsuits and large settlements in the past.

Lakeview, Boystown, Wrigleyville Primary category in which blog post is published

Lake View High School Keeps School Police, But Plans To Revisit Issue When In-Person Classes Resume

Members of the Lake View council said they want the principal to use the first quarter of the school year, when all learning will be online, to craft a structured plan for school resource officers.

Wicker Park, Bucktown, West Town Primary category in which blog post is published

Bucktown Dispensary Gets Key Approval, But Neighborhood Group Wants More Social Equity Promises

Verano Holdings want to open a Zen Leaf dispensary at 1720 N. Damen Ave., previously home to a Marc Jacobs store.

Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale Primary category in which blog post is published

City Awards 1,500 Grants To Small Businesses Decimated By Coronavirus, Vandalism

The $6.2 million in grants is the first allocation from the Together Now fund launched last month by the mayor.

South Loop Primary category in which blog post is published

Protesters Demanding Columbus Statue Be Torn Down Stop Traffic In South Loop Intersection For Hours

Activists said they won't rest until Mayor Lightfoot orders the statue to come down. "She will be hearing us and if she refuses to, then we’ll make her whole neighborhood hear us because she’s gonna have to hear them.”