South Chicago, East Side

Southeast Siders filed a complaint with federal housing officials in 2020, alleging decades of racist city policies pushed polluters into their communities. The settlement forces the city to address their concerns.

Lightfoot ordered the city to complete a study of the communities most impacted by industry and pollution by Sept. 1. Advocates say it will help draft legislation to improve residents’ health.

El plan llega después de que la puesta en marcha con poca antelación de un refugio para inmigrantes en el vecino Woodlawn provocara meses de indignación. Las autoridades celebrarán una reunión sobre el plan el jueves.

You can also go to a bike garage sale, help identify native bird and plant species, and volunteer to clean up the Chicago River. 

Plus: Find out how record shops are celebrating Record Store Day across Chicago.

You can also do yoga with bunnies, celebrate Earth Day with various activities and workshops and watch a film shot in Rogers Park.

Rita Alvarez and Kathryn Fitzgerald saw their sunflowers bring "happiness, nostalgia [and] warmth" to neighbors. They work to spread those feelings — and the plant — across the Southeast Side.

The master gardener is seeking volunteers to build raised garden beds, plant crops and enjoy a barbecue lunch as he raises funds to launch an orchard program at South Side schools.

Finkl applied to build three furnaces in July, but it withdrew its application two days before a public meeting about the plans, state officials said. It can still reapply.

The bill, if signed into law, would help Illinois apply for federal funding to build a wind farm and establish a critical source of clean energy, supporters say.

Chico will replace Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza, the retiring incumbent who was the first woman elected as 10th Ward alderperson.

Chico won 40.5 percent of the vote in the Feb. 28 election, while Guajardo received 26.5 percent. The candidates aim to replace retiring Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza.

Citations for air pollution — which contributes to Chicagoans' respiratory problems, cancers and premature deaths, per the city's own research — have dropped 90 percent over the past decade-plus.

Latto and Buckzz filmed on the 9 as the two previewed a new verse for "Mouskatool," Buckzz's single with local rappers Amari Blaze, Moni Da G and Kashh Mirr.

"We are tired of being the dumping ground for toxic materials in the city," an environmental activist said.

Maria Villarreal's annual group show of women artists returns for the first time during the pandemic at Under the Bridge Studios in East Side — with a boost from the gallery's new neighbor, Buena Vista Projects.

Owner Maria Medina put "all her savings" into transforming a former East Side tavern into a banquet hall — then got $250,000 from the city to continue making improvements.

Police officer Peter Chico and labor organizer Ana Guajardo came out on top in the five-way race to succeed Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza, who is retiring.

Mitchell’s priorities as alderperson have been to ensure “safer streets, quality schools and responsible economic development," he said.