Just In Time For Patio Season, City Council Backs COVID-Era Rules Making Outdoor Dining Easier
Temporary outdoor dining rules were put in place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but lapsed late last year.
Wicker Park Field House, Restrooms Will Open Sundays After Neighbors Petition For Expanded Hours
The field house will be open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays starting this weekend. Neighbors gathered more than 1,300 signatures in support of the effort.
OKAY Cannabis, West Town’s First Weed Dispensary, Opens Sunday On Chicago Avenue
The pot shop is co-owned by former Ald. Ameya Pawar, Fifty/50 restaurant group founders and others. Like other social equity dispensaries, its opening was delayed by lawsuits.
Permanent Outdoor Dining Expansion Proposed By Mayor After COVID-Era Rules Lapse
If passed by City Council, restaurants and bars will be able to once again operate patio service in the "curb lane" outside their businesses.
Sick Of Potholes, Roscoe Village 10-Year-Old Writes Letter To Alderman Pleading For Alley To Be Repaved
Meryl Kellogg is on a mission to make the alley behind her house safer for kids to play in. "If a 10-year-old girl is writing a letter to you about this, you know it’s a problem."
Alderpeople Approve Johnson’s Picks To Lead Council Committees — Ending Short-Lived Bid For Legislative Independence
Alderpeople overwhelmingly supported a City Council leadership structure backed by Johnson, less than two months after attempting to install their own committee chairs.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s First Regular City Council Meeting Is Wednesday. Here’s How To Watch
Alderpeople are expected to vote on Johnson's picks to lead City Council's committees and $51 million to help migrants.
Park District Closing Indoor Pools For At Least A Month As Some Lifeguards Head To Beaches
The indoor closures will run until at least June 23. While the Park District said its goal is to reopen all pools then, it's unclear if it will have the staff to do so.
Adolfo ‘Shabba-Doo’ Quinones, Chicago-bred Dance Icon Who Worked With Madonna, Honored With Street Sign
Quinones popularized street dancing in the 1984 film "Breakin'" and numerous other projects. Working with Madonna, Lionel Richie and Chaka Khan, he would return to Chicago to host workshops with kids.
Allez Cafe Bringing Craft Espresso, Fine Dining Pop-Ups To Bucktown Next To Ambrosia Foods
Jason Melamed and Andrew Silaghi want their cafe to be a place where people can put "down the laptop" and enjoy well-made coffee, pastries and pop-up dinners from local chefs.
Wicker Park’s Field House And Restrooms Should Be Open All Weekend Long, Neighbors Say
The park's field house is open Saturday mornings and closed Sundays, eliminating restrooms when thousands are visiting the park. Hundreds of neighbors have signed a petition asking the Park District to expand the hours.
Thrd Coffee Opening Bucktown Shop This Summer After 3 Years Of Pop-Ups
After working in coffee shops, Raoul Adwan started selling lattes out of his apartment during the pandemic. Now his popular mobile coffee business will soon be headquartered on Milwaukee Avenue near The 606.
Modern Mediterranean Restaurant Elia To Open In Wicker Park
Owner Metin Serbest, who also owns Turquoise in Roscoe Village, rebranded the former Sea & Olive and plans to offer a wide-ranging menu, cocktails and brunch on weekends. The restaurant opens Thursday.
Brandon Johnson Pledges To Reopen Mental Health Clinics, Push Progressive Change At Inaugural Address
“Some say we have to wait 20 years for the efforts to take dividends. I don’t believe that. We can change the lives of people in Chicago right now,” Johnson said at his inauguration.
Brandon Johnson And All 50 Alderpeople Will Be Inaugurated Monday. Here’s How You Can Watch
Johnson, alderpeople and the city's clerk and treasurer will take their oaths of office Monday morning. The ceremony will be livestreamed.
Two Residential Developments Near Wicker Park’s Division Blue Line Stall After Neighbors Protest Height, Parking
A developer wants to build 40 residential units near Division and Ashland, but a prominent neighborhood group thinks the buildings would be too tall, among other issues.
Wicker Park Groups Holding Plant Sale Saturday To Benefit Gardens In Neighborhood’s Namesake Park
All plants for sale will be hand-selected by Wicker Park Garden Club members, organizers said. Free native pollinator seeds will also be available.
As Lightfoot Departs, A ‘Woefully Unprepared’ Chicago Leaves Migrants In ‘Inhumane’ Conditions For Weeks — With No Plan In Sight
Around 3,100 migrants are in temporary shelters, relying on donated clothes and food as Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson inherits the crisis. “We don’t have beds. Children are sleeping on the floor," one man said.
City Denies Events License For Whadda Jerk In Ukrainian Village After Opposition From Neighbors — But Owner Hopes To Appeal
Owner Thomas Brewer wants to charge admission for events at his bar and restaurant, which requires a special license. The city issued a preliminary denial last week.
Grand Avenue In Ukrainian Village And West Town Could Get Protected Bike Lanes, Lower Speed Limits
City officials say the plan will make the busy street safer for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. Neighbors had split opinions on the early designs.
