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The Block Club Chicago Podcast

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

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes376Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryDaily News

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Artwork for The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Latest Episodes

Alpha Schools, opening this fall in the former GEMS Academy in Lakeshore East, says its AI-driven model can help students learn core academics in just two hours a day, freeing up time for workshops, unique projects and learning various life skills.

more

Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García dropped his reelection campaign at the last minute in November, giving Patty García, his chief of staff, a head start on filing petitions and potentially a clear path to Congress. The move instead set off a campaign frenzy; n... more

Riders across Chicago say safety problems on CTA trains are real, but they’re divided on whether the agency’s latest plan to increase policing on trains will actually fix them.

Host - Jon Hansen

Reporter - Patrick Filbin

Read More Here

Want to do... more

A coalition of almost 250 elected officials, faith leaders, community organizations and other residents are demanding a special prosecutor be appointed to investigate alleged crimes committed by federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz.

Host - J... more

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Recent Guests

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
Dr. Rupa Sanghani
Cardiologist, Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: How Five Deep Breaths A Day May Save Your Heart
Dr. Elizabeth Simkus
Medical director for the Prevention Center at Rush
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: New Year, Same You. Why Most Resolutions Fail And What To Do Next
Bill Snyder
WGN-Meteorologist and former producer for Tom Skilling
WGN News
Episode: Chicago Sees Longest Winter Freeze In 19 Years -- But Relief Is Coming
Tarik Shahzad
A passionate birder who has set records for birding in Cook County, Illinois.
Nature Conservancy of Illinois chapter
Episode: The 28-Year-Old Breaking Birding Records In Chicago
Brandon Martinez
Known as the 'cheese grater guy' for his viral appearance during the Bears game
Episode: Good. Better. Best. Grater -- The Bears’ Wild Ride Continues
Dr. Michael Lin
Epidemiologist specializing in infectious diseases
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: Chicago's Flu Season Is Here -- Is It Too Late To Protect Yourself?
Mark Carman
Host of the CHGO Chicago Bears Podcast and contributor at WGN Radio
CHGO Sports
Episode: Hop On The Bears Bandwagon! They May Be Good (Or Might Kinda Suck) UPDATE: THEY'RE GOOD

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 States4 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 Statesa year 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.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Chicago's Weather Whiplash -- From Hail To Snow, Single Digits to 60s
Q: Bill, what was your reaction after the storm the other night?
The night was chaotic and unusually active; the forecast had signaled high risk, and the perception at the desk was a combination of awe at the meteorological setup and concern for the impacts on residents.
Why Cook County Is Prosecuting ICE Protesters While The Feds Drop Cases
Q: Any final thoughts on the broader implications for free speech and protest?
Prolonged court involvement and seemingly punitive minor charges could chill protests, as people worry about job prospects, professional licenses, and expungement, potentially changing how and when people choose to exercise their First Amendment rights.
Why Cook County Is Prosecuting ICE Protesters While The Feds Drop Cases
Q: Just because someone is arrested by Illinois State Police, does that mean they'll end up in court?
Not necessarily; local prosecutors decide whether to pursue charges after police file them, and the State's Attorney's Office has discretion to dismiss or move forward, which can lead to long delays in many misdemeanor cases.
Why Cook County Is Prosecuting ICE Protesters While The Feds Drop Cases
Q: Mina, what's like the crux of this story?
The core issue is why federal cases against protesters around Broadview have largely been dropped while Cook County continues to prosecute local protesters, revealing differences in approach and potential political or resource-driven decisions.
The Long Lasting Impact Of Operation Midway Blitz On Our Neighborhoods
Q: How are the businesses responding to the aftermath of Operation Midway Blitz?
Francia explains that businesses are struggling due to lost clientele and ongoing anxiety about potential ICE activities, which is affecting their recovery.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
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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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How many subscribers and views does The Block Club Chicago Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Block Club Chicago Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. The Daily
4. Consider This from NPR
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 376 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

Recent guests on The Block Club Chicago Podcast include:

1. Shamus Toomey
2. Ariel Parrella
3. Dr. Rupa Sanghani
4. Dr. Elizabeth Simkus
5. Bill Snyder
6. Tarik Shahzad
7. Brandon Martinez
8. Dr. Michael Lin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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