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The Chicago Housing Authority's free summer meal program, which served kids and teens at 25 sites, ends this Friday. The initiative aimed to provide families with meal stability during the summer months when school lunches are unavailable. The program will resume next summer.
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.
A woman was killed and 10 others wounded in three shootings following a large unsanctioned street party in Austin early Sunday. The violence erupted within an hour of each other, prompting neighbors to call for action from local officials and criticizing the party's organizer, TikTok star JRoy. No suspects are in custody as detectives investigate the incidents.
The 96th annual Bud Billiken Parade celebrated Chicago's Black culture while marking the back-to-school season. Attendees experienced a vibrant display of unity, with events including free hairstyling and health screenings. Parade-goer Carlette Bracey described it as a "Black holiday," emphasizing its significance in the community.
A Pilsen woman, Danielle Wasserman, faces felony hate crime charges for assaulting two neighbors and vandalizing a pro-Palestinian mural. The incidents occurred on May 9 and June 13, leading to multiple assault-related charges against Wasserman, who turned herself in to police. Human rights advocates view her arrest as a critical step toward justice for victims of violence against marginalized communities.
The owner of Weiss Memorial Hospital, Dr. Manoj Prasad, calls for federal assistance to reopen the facility after its closure due to the loss of Medicare and Medicaid contracts. Critics attribute the closure to Prasad's management style, while he claims funding challenges and compliance issues led to the hospital's downfall.
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.
Dimo’s Pizza will close its Wicker Park location and move to Logan Square later this month. The beloved eatery, known for its unique pizza offerings, has served the community since 2013 and will transition to the site of the Victory Grill diner. Management has not confirmed the exact closing date but expects to wrap up by the end of August.
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.