Your trusted source for local Chicago, IL news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Chef Darnell Reed opened Luella’s Southern Kitchen in Albany Park this week, featuring a new brunch menu. The restaurant, now located at 4114 N. Kedzie Ave., allows Reed to spend more time with family after previously operating in Lincoln Square. The new menu includes Southern-inspired dishes with locally sourced ingredients.
A viral social media prank claims a man is trapped inside Chicago's Cloud Gate sculpture, known as The Bean. Alderman Brendan Reilly confirmed no one has been trapped for 21 years, but the hoax has sparked significant public curiosity and confusion. The Man in Bean Coalition, behind the prank, has gained a following while some view the stunt as a commentary on journalism.
The Chicago Park District will close pools citywide starting Sunday, with 15 pools shutting down immediately and another 42 closing on August 17. However, 19 neighborhood pools will remain open through Labor Day to accommodate swimmers amid ongoing heat waves. The decision marks the shortest swimming season since 2022.
Angel Santiago, a legally blind man, searches for his stolen service dog, Bam Bam, in Logan Square. Since the dog’s abduction on June 5, Santiago has stood outside Tony’s Fresh Market, distributing flyers and seeking help, while a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $2,000 to support his efforts. PETA has also offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to Bam Bam's return.
A group in Pilsen seeks to raise $50,000 to establish Tesseract Cinema, an independent movie theater and café. The venue aims to foster community engagement through film screenings and events, with plans for affordable tickets and local vendor partnerships. If successful, the theater could open by next spring.
Chicago's 16-inch softball players frequently suffer hand injuries, with many players like Mickey Balestri showcasing their deformed fingers as badges of honor. Hand specialists report a significant increase in these injuries each season, with unique risks attributed to the larger ball and lack of gloves. Dr. David Kalainov humorously noted the prevalence of such injuries as an "epidemic" among players.
Chicago theaters offer a variety of live performances this August, including “44 – The Musical,” which satirizes Barack Obama’s rise to the presidency. Other highlights include a whimsical adaptation of “Amélie” and a standup show by “Saturday Night Live” cast member James Austin Johnson. These productions aim to engage audiences just ahead of the bustling fall theater season.
The Chicago Department of Transportation will create a nearly 3-mile greenway on Grace Street, connecting the Chicago River to Lake Michigan. The project aims to provide a safer biking and walking route, reducing the speed limit to 20 mph and adding advisory bike lanes and speed bumps to enhance safety. Construction is expected to start this summer.
Charlie Sullivan's family honors his legacy through the Chucky Ar La Fest, a concert fundraiser that supports young musicians. The festival, organized by the Charlie Sullivan Foundation for Music and Social Justice, takes place Saturday at Martyr’s in North Park, featuring nine performers and raising funds for music groups. Sullivan, who died from fentanyl poisoning in 2020, was deeply involved in music and community activism.
Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth reported rising concerns from constituents in Chicago's 48th Ward about homeless encampments along Lake Shore Drive. City officials struggle to provide a consistent response to the encampment crisis, leading to calls for a more effective strategy to address safety and sanitation issues.