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Lynn’s Chicago Pizza in Woodlawn closes its restaurant operations and shifts to catering due to financial difficulties. Co-owner Brandon Bruner Sr. stated that customer flow was insufficient to sustain the business, prompting the early lease termination. The pizzeria plans to continue offering its signature dishes through catering and pop-up events.
Rabbi Tamar Manasseh launched the Tiny Kitchen Project in Englewood to feed over 100 children and families amid uncertainty surrounding federal food assistance benefits. Volunteers will prepare meals for distribution at MASK Peace Academy, aiming to combat hunger and its link to violence. The initiative has garnered community support and donations, including funding from local pastor Bishop Johnny Banks Sr.
A federal judge criticized conditions at an ICE processing center in Broadview, calling them “disgusting” and planning a temporary restraining order to enforce improvements. Former detainees testified about overcrowding, lack of food, and unsanitary conditions, prompting the judge to seek immediate relief for those still held there.
The Gale Street Inn in Jefferson Park will reopen under new ownership in early December after closing in June. New owner Paulo Villabona aims to create a community-friendly environment while retaining classic menu items and incorporating live music. Most former staff will return, and existing gift cards will be honored.
Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, falsely stated that no American citizens have been detained during immigration operations, despite numerous reports of such incidents in Chicago. Witnesses and legal representatives confirm that U.S. citizens have faced detention and questioning by federal agents, leading to legal scrutiny and a possible extension of restrictions on warrantless arrests.
Chicago's Millennium Park Christmas tree, a 68-foot Norway spruce from Glenview, will be lit during a ceremony on November 21. City officials announced the transplant, donated by the Mason family, which will be on display until early January. Meanwhile, a proposed residential development on West Kinzie Street faces criticism over insufficient parking from local residents.
Logan Square's skate park renovation plans face a setback as state guidelines prohibit permanent structures. Park District officials are seeking community input again, emphasizing the need for modular equipment accessible for maintenance. Advocates express frustration over the limitations and management of the project.
Voting for participatory budgeting in Chicago's 35th Ward is open until November 30, allowing residents to influence the allocation of over $1 million for public infrastructure projects. Residents can vote for their preferred project categories, with winners receiving at least $350,000 each for implementation. This marks the 11th participatory budgeting cycle and the first under Ald. Anthony Quezada.
Chicago residents can compost their Halloween pumpkins at various Pumpkin Smash events this Saturday, promoting eco-friendly waste disposal. Participants are required to remove all decorations before bringing their pumpkins to designated locations, where they can either smash them or leave them for composting. This initiative aims to reduce landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Illinois lawmakers passed bills to enhance protections for immigrant communities, limiting federal immigration enforcement at courthouses and healthcare facilities. The new measures ban civil arrests at courthouses and require hospitals and educational institutions to develop procedures to handle immigration enforcement activities. These legislative actions aim to ensure safe access to vital services for all residents, regardless of immigration status.