Ariel Parrella
@arielparrella.bsky.social
Logan Square/Avondale/Humboldt Park reporter/periodista
@BlockClubCHI | 🚲 🇮🇹 y español. tips + dog photos: ariel@blockclubchi.org
@BlockClubCHI | 🚲 🇮🇹 y español. tips + dog photos: ariel@blockclubchi.org
Some positive news regarding Chi Arts in Humboldt Park from @chalkbeat.org: The Chicago Board of Education school board decided to keep ChiArts open as a district-run school and provide $1.5 million for the transition. blockclubchi.co/4nHY3G9
Chicago School Board Votes To Keep ChiArts Open, Close EPIC Academy
The school board is ending agreements with independent operators of the two high schools. Chicago High School for the Arts will remain open as a district-run school.
blockclubchicago.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Some positive news regarding Chi Arts in Humboldt Park from @chalkbeat.org: The Chicago Board of Education school board decided to keep ChiArts open as a district-run school and provide $1.5 million for the transition. blockclubchi.co/4nHY3G9
Get ready! Two-way traffic around Logan Square is set to begin Nov. 6. It’s arguably the most anticipated part of the project — and the most confusing. Since it's been a long time coming, I broke down how the new pattern will work and why the city chose a two-way design.
blockclubchi.co/4qBbgDy
blockclubchi.co/4qBbgDy
Logan Square's Highly Anticipated 2-Way Traffic Circle Pattern To Open Next Week
The updated pattern adds safer pedestrian crossings, improves traffic flow and allows for parts of the square to more easily close for community events, officials said.
blockclubchi.co
October 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Get ready! Two-way traffic around Logan Square is set to begin Nov. 6. It’s arguably the most anticipated part of the project — and the most confusing. Since it's been a long time coming, I broke down how the new pattern will work and why the city chose a two-way design.
blockclubchi.co/4qBbgDy
blockclubchi.co/4qBbgDy
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
Context: As Old Irving Park prepares for Halloween festivities, neighbors are on edge after masked federal immigration agents unleashed tear gas in the community Saturday, leading to the cancellation of a children’s costume parade. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/a...
October 30, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Context: As Old Irving Park prepares for Halloween festivities, neighbors are on edge after masked federal immigration agents unleashed tear gas in the community Saturday, leading to the cancellation of a children’s costume parade. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/a...
Some great friday news for Portage Park!
The historic Portage Theater has a new owner who plans to revive it as a community space. blockclubchi.co/3J0uEZR
October 24, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Some great friday news for Portage Park!
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
Apartments and townhomes are being pitched for a vacant Avondale lot. blockclubchi.co/42UMHY0
October 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Apartments and townhomes are being pitched for a vacant Avondale lot. blockclubchi.co/42UMHY0
Ald. Jessie Fuentes, whom federal agents handcuffed and threatened with arrest, has taken the first step toward suing the federal government, saying she wants to hold the agents accountable and show she wasn’t intimidated by violence.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/21/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/21/c...
Chicago Alderperson Demands $100,000 In Damages After ICE Agent Handcuffed Her
The incident left Fuentes with injuries to her wrists, shoulders and arms, including bruising and "extreme mental distress, anguish and fear," according to a claim she filed Tuesday.
blockclubchicago.org
October 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Ald. Jessie Fuentes, whom federal agents handcuffed and threatened with arrest, has taken the first step toward suing the federal government, saying she wants to hold the agents accountable and show she wasn’t intimidated by violence.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/21/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/21/c...
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
A Chicago high schooler had just returned from chemotherapy. Then ICE arrested her father. blockclubchi.co/4njEhR7
October 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A Chicago high schooler had just returned from chemotherapy. Then ICE arrested her father. blockclubchi.co/4njEhR7
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
"With no billionaire owners to answer to, @blockclubchi.bsky.social believes their responsibility is to the community." — @charlesmblow.bsky.social
Don't miss @jensabella.bsky.social + @afrodip.bsky.social in this new doc series on the crisis facing local news. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymb...
Don't miss @jensabella.bsky.social + @afrodip.bsky.social in this new doc series on the crisis facing local news. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymb...
Reformation
YouTube video by Press Forward
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
"With no billionaire owners to answer to, @blockclubchi.bsky.social believes their responsibility is to the community." — @charlesmblow.bsky.social
Don't miss @jensabella.bsky.social + @afrodip.bsky.social in this new doc series on the crisis facing local news. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymb...
Don't miss @jensabella.bsky.social + @afrodip.bsky.social in this new doc series on the crisis facing local news. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymb...
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
A federal judge pressed ICE and Border Patrol leaders on their tactics and use of tear gas in Chicago. blockclubchi.co/4n9ww05
October 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
A federal judge pressed ICE and Border Patrol leaders on their tactics and use of tear gas in Chicago. blockclubchi.co/4n9ww05
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
"Please Show Up"
Despite fear and uncertainty in the area, business owners are trying to stay positive and hope outsiders will come patronize their shops: “One less dinner in Roscoe Village and Wrigley and out in this neighborhood that needs help will make a huge difference. blockclubchi.co/4ouCMAR
Belmont Cragin Business Owners Beg For Support As ICE Fears Devastate Sales And Closures Loom
Despite fear and uncertainty in the area, business owners are trying to stay positive: "One less dinner in Roscoe Village and Wrigley and out in this neighborhood that needs help will make a huge diff...
blockclubchi.co
October 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
"Please Show Up"
Yesterday I spent the day in Belmont Cragin talking to neighbors and business owners who have seen a dramatic slump in business. It was emotional to hear that some businesses, all family or locally owned, could close if they don’t see enough sales within the next two months.
blockclubchi.co/4ouCMAR
blockclubchi.co/4ouCMAR
Belmont Cragin Business Owners Beg For Support As ICE Fears Devastate Sales And Closures Loom
Despite fear and uncertainty in the area, business owners are trying to stay positive: "One less dinner in Roscoe Village and Wrigley and out in this neighborhood that needs help will make a huge diff...
blockclubchi.co
October 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Yesterday I spent the day in Belmont Cragin talking to neighbors and business owners who have seen a dramatic slump in business. It was emotional to hear that some businesses, all family or locally owned, could close if they don’t see enough sales within the next two months.
blockclubchi.co/4ouCMAR
blockclubchi.co/4ouCMAR
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
I’m back from vacation, and put together the past few days’ strong images from our @blockclubchi.bsky.social team.
GALLERY: Two Weeks In Photos: Chicagoans Stand Up To ICE, Johnson's New Budget And Much More blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/17/t...
GALLERY: Two Weeks In Photos: Chicagoans Stand Up To ICE, Johnson's New Budget And Much More blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/17/t...
October 17, 2025 at 7:46 PM
I’m back from vacation, and put together the past few days’ strong images from our @blockclubchi.bsky.social team.
GALLERY: Two Weeks In Photos: Chicagoans Stand Up To ICE, Johnson's New Budget And Much More blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/17/t...
GALLERY: Two Weeks In Photos: Chicagoans Stand Up To ICE, Johnson's New Budget And Much More blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/17/t...
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
"We’ll be fine, honestly. Go out and support a GoFundMe or buy groceries for a Latino neighbor. Or go join one of those rapid response groups that are walking kids and from their schools," the owner said. | blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/17/c... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Chicago Chocolatier Stands Up To Pro-ICE Online Trolls — And Her Sales Are Up
Katherine Duncan said her decision to post a sign in her shop Katherine Anne Confections that says, “Everyone Is Welcome Here, Except ICE,” likely spurred the onslaught of negative reviews.
blockclubchicago.org
October 17, 2025 at 7:17 PM
"We’ll be fine, honestly. Go out and support a GoFundMe or buy groceries for a Latino neighbor. Or go join one of those rapid response groups that are walking kids and from their schools," the owner said. | blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/17/c... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
rest in peace D'Angelo. absolute genius, left us with a small but perfect body of work. man, this hurts.
October 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
rest in peace D'Angelo. absolute genius, left us with a small but perfect body of work. man, this hurts.
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
A 15-year-old U.S. citizen was taken by the feds for 5 hours after an East Side protest, his attorney said. blockclubchi.co/42FrSzH
October 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
A 15-year-old U.S. citizen was taken by the feds for 5 hours after an East Side protest, his attorney said. blockclubchi.co/42FrSzH
By @avhndz.bsky.social: “I want to be absolutely clear, the only people at risk in this moment are the residents of the city of Chicago. The only people walking around with military weapons, tear gas, rubber bullets are ICE agents,” Fuentes said.
blockclubchi.co/3J836l1
blockclubchi.co/3J836l1
Ald. Jessie Fuentes Gears Up To Sue After Being Handcuffed By ICE Agent
The Humboldt Park alderperson was handcuffed and threatened with arrest by federal agents this month while asking agents if they had a warrant for a man they detained in her neighborhood.
blockclubchi.co
October 15, 2025 at 3:18 PM
By @avhndz.bsky.social: “I want to be absolutely clear, the only people at risk in this moment are the residents of the city of Chicago. The only people walking around with military weapons, tear gas, rubber bullets are ICE agents,” Fuentes said.
blockclubchi.co/3J836l1
blockclubchi.co/3J836l1
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
“I want to be absolutely clear, the only people at risk in this moment are the residents of the city of Chicago. The only people walking around with military weapons, tear gas, rubber bullets are ICE agents.” | blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/a... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Ald. Jessie Fuentes Gears Up To Sue After Being Handcuffed By ICE Agent
The Humboldt Park alderperson was handcuffed and threatened with arrest by federal agents this month while asking agents if they had a warrant for a man they detained in her neighborhood.
blockclubchicago.org
October 15, 2025 at 2:31 PM
“I want to be absolutely clear, the only people at risk in this moment are the residents of the city of Chicago. The only people walking around with military weapons, tear gas, rubber bullets are ICE agents.” | blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/a... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
What happened to the real estate empire of Suzie B. Wilson & her sister?
Just 1/3 of the roughly 800 vacant lots have sold, which leaves hundreds sitting empty and stagnant. And the city doesn't stand to recover much $$$ it's owed.
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/h...
Just 1/3 of the roughly 800 vacant lots have sold, which leaves hundreds sitting empty and stagnant. And the city doesn't stand to recover much $$$ it's owed.
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/h...
Hundreds Of Lots Owned By 'City's Worst Landowner' Went Up For Sale. But Only A Fraction Have Sold
Parcels that belonged to Suzie B. Wilson and her sister accumulated $15 million in city fines for rat-related violations. Hundreds are still sitting empty without any promise of redevelopment.
blockclubchicago.org
October 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
What happened to the real estate empire of Suzie B. Wilson & her sister?
Just 1/3 of the roughly 800 vacant lots have sold, which leaves hundreds sitting empty and stagnant. And the city doesn't stand to recover much $$$ it's owed.
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/h...
Just 1/3 of the roughly 800 vacant lots have sold, which leaves hundreds sitting empty and stagnant. And the city doesn't stand to recover much $$$ it's owed.
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/h...
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
@blockclubchi.bsky.social, our nonprofit newsroom, is suing the federal government after 4 of our journalists were shot w/ pepper-spray bullets & tear-gassed by federal agents at Broadview.
Here's why we're defending our First Amendment right to report — and your right to know:
Here's why we're defending our First Amendment right to report — and your right to know:
Block Club Chicago, News Organizations Sue Feds Over First Amendment Violations
Four of our journalists have been shot with pepper-spray bullets and tear-gassed while covering protests outside the Broadview ICE facility. A judge heard arguments at an emergency hearing Monday.
blockclubchicago.org
October 7, 2025 at 2:51 PM
@blockclubchi.bsky.social, our nonprofit newsroom, is suing the federal government after 4 of our journalists were shot w/ pepper-spray bullets & tear-gassed by federal agents at Broadview.
Here's why we're defending our First Amendment right to report — and your right to know:
Here's why we're defending our First Amendment right to report — and your right to know:
Students, parents and teachers at ChiArts, the only public arts-focused high school, are pressuring the administration for more transparency around the board’s decision not to renew its CPS contract. “They’re cutting us off at the knees,” one teacher said.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/06/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/06/c...
ChiArts Parents, Students Blindsided By Arts Board's Vote Not To Renew CPS Contract
Students, parents and teachers at the arts-focused high school are pressuring the administration for more transparency around the board’s decision. "They're cutting us off at the knees," one teacher s...
blockclubchicago.org
October 6, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Students, parents and teachers at ChiArts, the only public arts-focused high school, are pressuring the administration for more transparency around the board’s decision not to renew its CPS contract. “They’re cutting us off at the knees,” one teacher said.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/06/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/06/c...
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
JUST IN: Chicago journalistsa re suing DHS and ICE over force used against reporters:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
JUST IN: Chicago journalistsa re suing DHS and ICE over force used against reporters:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
14 things to do outside in Chicago this October: blockclubchi.co/4gSkdnj
October 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
14 things to do outside in Chicago this October: blockclubchi.co/4gSkdnj
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
From @arielparrella.bsky.social:
Federal Agents Handcuff Chicago Alderperson At Hospital ER blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/03/f...
Federal Agents Handcuff Chicago Alderperson At Hospital ER blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/03/f...
Federal Agents Handcuff Chicago Alderperson At Hospital ER
In another incident caught on video from Friday, federal agents inside a car threw smoke grenades into a street while people were outside nearby.
blockclubchicago.org
October 3, 2025 at 8:02 PM
From @arielparrella.bsky.social:
Federal Agents Handcuff Chicago Alderperson At Hospital ER blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/03/f...
Federal Agents Handcuff Chicago Alderperson At Hospital ER blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/03/f...
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
“They don’t care about people’s constitutional rights," Ald. Jessie Fuentes told @blockclubchi.bsky.social. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/03/f... More reporting on today’s federal immigration activity across Chicago, per @arielparrella.bsky.social & @themelodymercado.bsky.social.
Federal Agents Handcuff Chicago Alderperson At Hospital ER
In another incident caught on video from Friday, federal agents inside a car threw smoke grenades into a street while people were outside nearby.
blockclubchicago.org
October 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
“They don’t care about people’s constitutional rights," Ald. Jessie Fuentes told @blockclubchi.bsky.social. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/03/f... More reporting on today’s federal immigration activity across Chicago, per @arielparrella.bsky.social & @themelodymercado.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
“ICE has to stop unprovoked, chemical arms attacks on peaceful protesters and on journalists. This behavior is not normal. This is not Putin’s Russia. This is the United States of America,” said Broadview Mayor Katrina Thomas. blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/30/f... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Feds Are Tear Gassing Police, First Responders In Broadview, Officials Say: 'This Is Not Putin's Russia'
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson said the feds must do a better job of working with local officials.
blockclubchicago.org
September 30, 2025 at 7:07 PM
“ICE has to stop unprovoked, chemical arms attacks on peaceful protesters and on journalists. This behavior is not normal. This is not Putin’s Russia. This is the United States of America,” said Broadview Mayor Katrina Thomas. blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/30/f... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social