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Artwork for The Block Club Chicago Podcast

The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Block Club Chicago
Chicago
Gun Violence
Joe & Bella
Shotspotter
Frame Chicago
Cook County State's Attorney
Adaptive Clothing
Dollar Stores
Coyotes
Fish Fry
Seniors
Chicago River
Education
Community Violence Prevention
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago City Council
Seipp Brewing
Heartbalm Laws
Brandon Johnson
Community

The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans. New episodes Tuesdays, Thursdays, or whenever a BIG story breaks.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes382Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsDaily NewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Latest Episodes

City officials filed a motion Monday asking a Cook County judge to enforce the immediate evacuation of all tenants and occupants at Ford City Mall — months after a local developer proposed a plan to transform the nearly vacant space into an industria... more

As Southwest Side neighbors were targeted or hid in their homes, Ald. Raymond Lopez repeatedly defended Trump’s immigration roundups on conservative and right-wing media. The 15th Ward alderman has long been a vocal and complex figure in the City Cou... more

A maternal and reproductive health care center on the South Side broke ground this week as organizers prepare for the culmination of years of planning and fundraising.

The Chicago South Side Birth Center, 8301 S. South Shore Drive, will renovate the... more

Francis W. Parker School, a private K-12 college prep school in Lincoln Park, is moving forward with plans to expand its footprint following years of neighborhood backlash, failed buyout attempts and at one point a lawsuit.

The school’s plan to expa... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Janine Valerie Logan
Midwife and founder/advocate for the Chicago South Side Birth Center
Chicago South Side Birth Center
Episode: One Woman's Crusade To Bring Maternal Health Care To The South Side
Pat Tomasulo
Comedian and former WGN Morning Show anchor
Pat Tomasulo / WGN Morning News
Episode: Pat Tomasulo Wants You To Laugh Your Face Off
Dr. Salina Lee
Gastroenterologist with expertise in colorectal cancer screening
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: Colonoscopies Aren't THAT Bad -- But They're More Important Than Ever
Patrick Filbin
Block Club Chicago reporter
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Do You Feel Safe On The CTA? Riders React To Boost In Police On Trains
Mike Leonard
Federal Defense Attorney
Episode: Will The State's Attorney Charge Fed Officials After Midway Blitz?
Shamus Toomey
Co-founder and publisher, Block Club Chicago
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Chicago Is Hemorrhaging Breweries. Is There A Way To Stop It?
Ariel Parrella
Reporter for Block Club Chicago who conducted the investigation
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Lawsuit Says Warlord On ‘Brink Of Ruin’ After Chef’s Abusive Behavior
Mack Liederman
Journalist covering local Chicago stories for Block Club Chicago
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Can We Save Chicago's Dwindling Number Of Neon Signs?
Dr. Rupa Sanghani
Cardiologist, Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: How Five Deep Breaths A Day May Save Your Heart

Host

Jon Hansen
Host of The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 228 ratings
  • Great city podcast

    Jon and the team do an excellent job going behind the scenes of Block Club Chicago news coverage to deliver interesting and compelling stories about the vibrancy of Chicago. My favorite episode was from a few years ago when Jon interviewed a fireman about the changing landscape of fires in the city. Each episode is a reminder that our city has a rich history, a bright future and truly brilliant people rising to meet the challenges of a modern American city.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    That other other girl
    United States5 months ago
  • Amazing local news offering

    The Block Club Chicago podcast consistently adds context and depth to discussions about news in Chicago. Thanks for keeping us informed, and taking us behind the headlines.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LANewsie
    United States2 years ago
  • Incredible hyper local news

    Block Club Chicago is a group of hard working, talented Chicagoans looking to highlight stories from the hyper-local to the national. They do so with integrity, vigor, and (on this podcast and the ‘It’s All Good’ variety) a dash of optimism where appropriate.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RubyB612
    United States2 years ago
  • Disappointingly boring

    As a lifelong Chicagoan, I was excited to find this podcast. Some of the stores are covered in a very poor fashion. They unfortunately disproportionately cover street crime like the rest of Chicago media. Block Club Chicago articles are typically pretty good. This needs a revamp

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MyFavoriteNicknameWasTaken
    United States2 years ago
  • Great Chicago journalism, for your ears

    The Block Club Chicago podcast gives a voice to a city full of people with stories to tell. It’s a refreshing source of informative and interesting local journalism, delivered with a conversational tone that feels like an informed neighbor telling me about the things that are going on around me that I should know about. I’ve been enjoying it as a regular source of local news and often recommend this podcast to other Chicagoans.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    beckyjf
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise in-depth local coverage and the mix of serious reporting with uplifting community stories.
Fans appreciate accessibility and conversational storytelling that makes Chicago issues approachable.
Critiques call for broader topic diversity and sharper handling of some topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#140
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#127
Colombia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#146
India/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#246
Ireland/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Ray Lopez Became Conservative Media’s Favorite Chicago Democrat
Q: How did voters in Lopez's ward react to his national media appearances and stance on issues?
Voters expressed concern that Lopez's national persona sometimes diverged from local needs, with some feeling he abandoned local grievances during pivotal moments, while others appreciated his willingness to defend their views on crime and immigration on a larger stage.
How Ray Lopez Became Conservative Media’s Favorite Chicago Democrat
Q: What motivated Lopez to appear on Fox News and other right-wing platforms?
He explains that his aim is to advocate for his constituents and provide a counter-narrative about Chicago's crime and immigration policies, while acknowledging that national exposure amplified his local actions rather than defining them entirely.
How Ray Lopez Became Conservative Media’s Favorite Chicago Democrat
Q: So what happened during the Joe Biden era that prompted a shift in his views?
The host summarizes that Lopez perceived policy changes under Biden as opening borders more broadly, which contrasted with his previous stance during Trump's term and reinforced his belief in strict immigration enforcement, while still maintaining a focus on his ward's safety and services.
A Private School Wants More Space - Why Many Neighbors Are Pushing Back
Q: Why is this meeting happening, and what role does the alderman play?
The meeting serves to gather input on a zoning change and to let the alderman weigh community feedback before deciding whether to support or reject the project.
A Private School Wants More Space - Why Many Neighbors Are Pushing Back
Q: What is Parker School proposing to build, and how will it change the campus footprint?
The school plans a new academic building connected by a sky deck, expanding enrollment and replacing occupied residential buildings with the new facilities, in a seven-plus-year phased development.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Block Club Chicago Podcast

What is The Block Club Chicago Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently covers Chicago's local news with a focus on underreported community stories, governance, public safety, and politics, often blending investigative reporting with human-interest angles. Episodes frequently feature expert voices from local institutions, community organizers, and prominent Chicago figures, plus sports and culture threads that illuminate the city's character. The balance of practical, issue-driven conversations and uplifting neighborhood profiles makes it useful for listeners who want a nuanced view of Chicago and for guests seeking to reach engaged, city-focused audiences. A notable strength is its ability to translate complex issues into accessible, story-driven discussions that highlight community impa... more

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How many listeners does The Block Club Chicago Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Block Club Chicago Podcast:

1. City Cast Chicago
2. Curious City
3. Fresh Air
4. The Daily
5. Today, Explained

How many episodes of The Block Club Chicago Podcast are there?

The Block Club Chicago Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 382 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

Recent guests on The Block Club Chicago Podcast include:

1. Janine Valerie Logan
2. Pat Tomasulo
3. Dr. Salina Lee
4. Patrick Filbin
5. Mike Leonard
6. Shamus Toomey
7. Ariel Parrella
8. Mack Liederman

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