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Adam Pollack transformed his summer internship experience into a thriving business, Closed Loop Farms, which delivers over 200 produce orders weekly across Chicago. The farm specializes in microgreens and edible flowers, contributing to the local dining scene and even appearing in the TV show "The Bear." Pollack's innovative approach and sustainable practices have allowed the farm to adapt and grow, especially during the pandemic.
Ald. Matt Martin approved a zoning change to allow Honore Properties to build a five-story apartment building with 78 units on the former Our Lady of Lourdes church campus in Uptown. The plan includes 16 affordable units and sustainability features, pending further approvals from the city.
Pilsen residents and Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez urge the city to deny Midwest Generation's request for demolition permits for parts of the Fisk Generating Station, citing environmental and health concerns. The city has yet to approve the permits, as neighbors demand better protections due to the area's history of pollution.
Governor JB Pritzker announced that the Illinois National Guard may be deployed to assist the Department of Homeland Security in protecting ICE personnel and facilities. The memo from Homeland Security claims that ICE agents face threats from violent groups, prompting the request for 100 military troops. State officials, including Attorney General Kwame Raoul, are prepared to take legal action against any military deployment.
Large groups of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents patrolled Downtown Chicago on Sunday, detaining a family at Millennium Park. Local officials condemned the militarized presence, with Mayor Brandon Johnson calling it a "brazen provocation" by the Trump administration. Witnesses reported armed officers intimidating residents as they marched through high-traffic areas.
Forty Acres Fresh Market opened in Austin, addressing food access issues in a neighborhood previously lacking grocery options. The Black woman-owned store aims to combat "food apartheid" by providing fresh produce and essential goods. Local residents expressed excitement over the store's potential impact on their community.
Federal authorities intensified their actions in Broadview, arresting a journalist and deploying chemical weapons against protesters after the mayor criticized ICE's tactics. Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson urged the Department of Homeland Security to cease using chemical arms against residents, which she labeled as "making war" on the community. The escalating tensions have raised concerns about the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.
A shooting in Uptown killed an 18-year-old man and injured a 27-year-old woman late Friday night. This marks the second teen fatality in the neighborhood in less than two weeks, following the murder of a 17-year-old boy earlier this month. Police have not made any arrests in connection to either incident.
Bruce Sagan, a prominent Hyde Park newspaperman and arts patron, died at 96 after a brief battle with cancer. He founded the Hyde Park Herald and played a key role in relocating the Joffrey Ballet to Chicago. Sagan received a National Medal of Arts from President Joe Biden in 2024.
Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th) opposes a proposed 48-unit apartment building in Edgebrook, citing community concerns about traffic and neighborhood character. The project, presented by Drexel Properties, drew mixed reactions during a packed community meeting.