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Donald Trump’s organization seeks tenants for the long-vacant retail space at Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago. Newmark real estate brokers report strong initial interest, despite challenges such as political stigma and difficult access to the location. The leasing price remains negotiable as the search for potential tenants intensifies.
A Pilsen book club called Las Chicas de Pilsen has fostered a supportive community for women through discussions of Latina-authored books. Founded by Sylvia Sanchez, Lily Valdez, and Jess Schutz, the club has grown to attract about 35 participants per meeting, providing a space for emotional connection and cultural dialogue.
Smash Jibarito, a popular Puerto Rican-inspired pop-up restaurant, is moving into a permanent location in Humboldt Park, Chicago. Owner Josean Irizarry plans to transform the former Guerrero’s Tacos & Pizza into a family-friendly eatery, focusing on their signature smashburgers and quick service. The restaurant aims to open in mid-August, pending retail license approvals.
Bronzeville Winery owner Cecilia Cuff will join Harvard University's Graduate School of Design as a Loeb Fellow this month. Over the next 10 months, she will collaborate with nine global community leaders to enhance her skills in equitable design and economic development. Cuff aims to leverage this experience to better support small businesses on Chicago's South and West sides.
The Chicago Housing Authority's Plan for Transformation, initiated 25 years ago, remains incomplete, risking another 30 to 40 years of redevelopment delays, according to a report from Impact for Equity. The report urges collaboration among city and housing leaders to prioritize affordable housing development and address the 100 acres of vacant CHA-owned land.
The Trump administration's immigration policy changes have created a backlog of 3.4 million cases in immigration courts, with Chicago's courts alone holding over 222,000 backlogged cases. Immigration attorneys report a more aggressive stance from prosecutors, making it harder for immigrants to secure legal protections. These shifts have led to increased ICE arrests and heightened fears within immigrant communities.
The city of Chicago has opened a one-week application window for candidates to replace Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th), who resigned after 30 years in office. Concerns arise over potential nepotism, as Burnett's son is expected to be appointed to the position, raising questions about the fairness of the selection process.
President Trump announced the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., citing crime concerns, while suggesting similar actions could occur in Chicago. Governor JB Pritzker rejected Trump's authority to send troops to cities, referencing the Posse Comitatus Act and comparing Trump's actions to those of Nazi Germany. Despite recent declines in violent crime in Chicago, Trump criticized local leaders as incompetent.
Wicker Park hosted a “Performative Male Contest” that attracted around 80 participants and hundreds of spectators, showcasing men engaging in traditionally feminine hobbies. Contestants competed for homebody matcha vouchers while judges evaluated their appeal to a progressive audience. The event, inspired by similar competitions in Seattle, highlighted the performative male archetype trending on social media.
Junior Chefs Kitchen will open a new cooking studio in the West Loop this fall, catering to children ages 2-18. The studio will offer hands-on cooking classes, camps, and birthday parties, focusing on healthy cooking skills developed by a registered dietitian.