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Mauricio Peña

Pilsen, Little Village and West Loop reporter

mauricio@blockclubchi.org

Student ‘Peace Warriors’ At Chicago’s West Side Schools Spread Message Of Nonviolence

The program trains students to mediate conflicts, support grieving classmates and bring peace and happiness to school by greeting peers at the front door and leaving celebratory birthday notes on lockers.

Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale

Pilsen Food Pantry Launches Fundraiser To Find A New Home, Expand Services: ‘Every Dollar Counts’

The Figueroa Wu Foundation aims to buy the church or find a suitable location nearby to expand its many programs for neighbors.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

Billy Dec’s Sunda Coming To Fulton Market In 2022

The Fulton Market location will include signature items from the original River North location, including garlic crab noodles, spicy tuna crispy rice and hand-rolled sushi.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

Sterling Bay’s 29-Story Fulton Market Apartment Tower Next To Morgan Station Gets Key City Approval

Under the plan, the 350-foot-tall apartment tower will bring 282 residential units and 2,000 square feet of retail to 160 N. Morgan St.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

Pilsen Nonprofit Breaks Ground On Long-Awaited Affordable Housing Project: ‘We Believe In Development Without Displacement’

"Finding a safe, affordable place to live — and call home and raise a family — shouldn't be an elusive pipe dream," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

With Ban On New Apartments In Fulton Market Lifted, High-Rise Proposals Keep Flooding In

Developer Trammell Crow wants to build a 33-story apartment high-rise and a 26-story office tower and would make an acre of parkland open to the public.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

Public Defender’s Office Now Can Represent Non-Citizens In Immigration Cases: This ‘Will Change Lives’

"Everyone, regardless of their immigration status, should have fair representation," Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya said.

Citywide

After Being Canceled Last Year, West Loop Art Fest Returns This Weekend

The free event runs 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Fulton Market Street between Peoria and Aberdeen.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

West Loop Boom Continues As City Council Approves More Than 1,300 New Apartments

Jamal Properties plans two apartment towers with more than 1,000 units, while DAC Developments plans 288 apartments in West Loop.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

After 20-Year Fight, Neighbors Will Start Work On Community Farm At La Villita Park This Weekend

The volunteer day is a culmination of activism to rescue the land from toxic contamination, revive it into a park and transform a portion of it to grow food.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

With Empty Tortilla Shelves, Folks Line Up At El Milagro In Little Village: ‘Where Am I Going To Find Them?’

Across Chicago and in the surrounding suburbs, folks say they can't find El Milagro tortillas at stores.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

National Museum Of Mexican Art Dedicates Plaza To City’s First Latino Committeeman, Ray Castro: ‘He Stood For Justice’

Castro, a veteran who died in 2005, is remembered for organizing sports programs for South Chicago youth and fundraising for a monument honoring 12 fallen soldiers, among other contributions.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

19-Story West Loop Apartment Tower Gets Key City Approval

The project gives developers flexibility to convert some apartments into hotel rooms. Hospitality workers pushed to nix that option and preserve affordable housing.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

Union Station, Epiphany Church Projects Honored For ‘Creative, Inclusive And Sustainable’ Overhauls

Other Chicago winners include Pullman Artspace Lofts and West Pullman School Senior Community.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

Pilsen Resident Opens Dream Carniceria Near Damen And Cermak: ‘This Shop Gives Me So Much Hope’

Mi Mandado Carniceria offers fresh produce, meat and ready-made treats like nachos and smoothies.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

Italian Restaurant Alla Vita Coming To West Loop This Month

Chef Lee Wolen will serve up pasta, pizzas, a signature chicken Parmesan and other Italian fare.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

Pilsen Woman’s Day Of The Dead Altar Will Honor Neighbors Who Have Died

Isabel Hernandez wants people to submit photos of Pilsen residents who have died for an ofrenda in the garden at her home. She's accepting photos until Sept. 16.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

United Center Will Require Proof Of Vaccination Or Negative Test For Bulls, Blackhawks Games And More

Such rules are becoming more common as organizations look to keep customers — and their businesses — safe and help end the pandemic.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

PAWS Chicago Takes In Dogs, Cats From Louisiana Amid Hurricane Ida Devastation

PAWS Chicago worked with eight Louisiana shelters to bring in 23 cats and 15 dogs, freeing up space for pets displaced by the storm. Soon, some will be up for adoption.

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards

Beloved Little Village Arch Gets Preliminary Landmark Designation: ‘This Shines A Light On Our Community’

Built in 1990, the two-story structure features a tiled archway with two dome towers and a metal banner reading, “Bienvenidos A Little Village."

Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards
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