Block Club Chicago reported on Mar. 20 a variety of events and scenes from across the city over the past week, including St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Election Day traditions, and community happenings in several neighborhoods.
The coverage highlights key moments such as the dyeing of the Chicago River green for St. Patrick’s Day by Plumber’s Local 130, which drew large crowds along Wacker Drive. Police officers were seen disposing of “BORG” jugs as partiers celebrated along the riverfront. The South Side Irish Parade also took place in Beverly, featuring pipe bands and floats from local parishes.
Election Day brought politicians and supporters to Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen in the South Loop on March 17, where Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton was photographed embracing a supporter and Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs enjoyed a corned beef sandwich while waiting in line. The tradition saw candidates greeting voters ahead of primary results.
Other notable moments included city workers clearing a homeless encampment at Legion Park during cold weather, with police removing protesters from the scene; City Council debates over freezing the tipped minimum wage; and increased police patrols at CTA stations amid ongoing safety discussions.
Community life was also captured through images of readers at “the pub,” a print-only newspaper that opened its Bucktown headquarters on March 13, as well as scenes from local businesses like Johnny’s Dirty Soda and Snacks in Lakeview and Remedy bar in Bucktown serving cocktails made with French herbal liqueur Chartreuse.
Political developments were documented with portraits of Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García in Little Village, independent congressional candidate Mayra Macias canvassing Archer Heights, Patty García campaigning in Cicero, and Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez outside St. Adalbert’s Church. The week also saw attention to neighborhood issues such as grubs damaging Welles Park baseball fields and the historic Lichtstern mansion being listed for sale in Bronzeville.
