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Saturday, April 20, 2024

Logan Square

Elm trees line the 3000 block of West Palmer Avenue in the Logan Square neighborhood,
Environment
Can a tree be historic?
Residents in the Palmer Square neighborhood want a city ordinance to protect American elm trees dating to the 19th century that are among the handful that survived Dutch elm disease.
By Andy Grimm
 
Mayor Brandon Johnson walks through the Logan Square Farmers Market on Sunday with Nilda Esparza of the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce. Esparza, concerned about the safety of vendors and shoppers, had planned to cancel this week’s market having failed to secure a city permit to shut Logan Boulevard down. With Johnson’s help the permit was approved.
Logan Square
After backlash, and muscle from the mayor, Logan Square Farmers Market reopens
Vendors protested a plan to pause the popular market this week. A street closure permit was approved through the end of October, and the market operated as usual.
By David Struett
 
Folded chairs and a sign for Logan Square Farmers Market lean on a tree.
News
Logan Square Farmers Market canceled Sunday
The market “is taking a pause this coming week as we continue to work on operating in the safest way possible for all to enjoy,” organizers said Wednesday in an email to vendors.
By David Struett and Kaitlin Washburn
 
Renderings of the two affordable housing developments going up at the intersection of Cortland Street and Ridgeway Avenue in Logan Square.
Chicago
Housing development by Bloomingdale Trail aims to counter rising costs in Logan Square
The two buildings will bring 89 affordable housing units to an area that’s seen the greatest loss in affordable units. Construction is expected to finish by fall 2024.
By Michael Loria
 
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News
Armed robbers strike 5 times in Wicker Park, Logan Square, East Village
In each robbery early Tuesday, three men stepped out of a silver car and took belongings from pedestrians and cyclists before fleeing. Some victims suffered minor injuries, police said.
By Sun-Times Wire
 
Unofficial sellers Logan Square Farmers Market.
Logan Square
Unofficial vendors set up shop outside Logan Square Farmers Market. Will city ticket them?
Some say the sellers are taking advantage by avoiding permit and other fees. Others say it’s a “beautiful” example of the community coming together after the pandemic.
By David Struett
 
The Windy City Fieldhouse at 2367 W Logan Blvd on the Northwest Side, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. The Windy City Fieldhouse, a staple for nearly 26 years, will be closing it’s doors Aug. 31.
Chicago
Windy City Fieldhouse sports complex in Logan Square is closing at the end of August
For more than 25 years, families, children and adults across the city have flocked to the facility for friendly pickup basketball, soccer and volleyball games. It’s also a popular birthday party destination for kids.
By Emmanuel Camarillo
 
Los hombres acababan de salir del bar La Vaca Margarita alrededor de las 4:10 a.m. el domingo cuando fueron asaltados.
Crime
Suspect sought in Logan Square hit-and-run
A woman, 21, was struck by a van near the intersection of North Milwaukee Avenue and North Kedzie Avenue. Authorities are searching for a gray 1996 Chevrolet van.
By Sun-Times Wire
 
Three people were killed in separate crashes across the Chicago area during a winter storm early Saturday.
Crime
Blaze at Logan Square home leaves woman in grave condition
A woman was badly hurt in a fire that authorities say started in a basement. A dog was also resuscitated at the scene, the Chicago Fire Department said.
By Sun-Times Wire
 
Three people were killed in separate crashes across the Chicago area during a winter storm early Saturday.
Logan Square
Woman in ‘grave condition’ after basement fire in Logan Square
The 36-year-old was taken to Community First Medical Center in cardiac arrest, fire officials said. A dog was resuscitated at the scene.
By Sun-Times Wire
 
Los hombres acababan de salir del bar La Vaca Margarita alrededor de las 4:10 a.m. el domingo cuando fueron asaltados.
Crime
Charges filed for gunman who fired at ambulance with 79-year-old patient inside because it would not get out of the way: police
‘The idea of shooting at an ambulance is something I thought I’d never see,’ a witness to the shooting in a residential area told the Sun-Times. The suspect, Ricardo Vazquez, was scheduled to appear in court later Friday.
By Kade Heather, Mohammad Samra, and 1 more
 
Flashing lights on a police vehicle.
Crime
String of armed robberies reported on Northwest Side
The robberies occurred between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 3 a.m. Thursday in the North Center, Bucktown and Logan Square neighborhoods.
By Sun-Times Wire
 
Chicago City Council on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
City Hall
Divided City Council approves $1 million settlement in police shooting case
“The sin of the police officer was he turned the body camera off a little too soon. ... We should not be paying this family a million dollars,” said Ald. Nick Sposato. But Ald. Chris Taliaferro disagreed: “Either we trust our lawyers or we don’t.”
By Fran Spielman
 
Police officers guard the area near the house of then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot in Logan Square after protesters left the area on Aug. 13, 2020.
City Hall
Lightfoot’s security detail dramatically reduced
A police spokesperson refused to reveal specifics of the reduction, fearing it could invite more threats against a former mayor who already has had her share.
By Fran Spielman
 
A new mural by artist Damon Lamar Reed in a park at Diversey, Kimball and Milwaukee avenues, honoring three Chicago firefighters killed in a fire nearby that was set by an arsonist in 1985.
‘Mural of Heroes,’ version 3, honors 3 fallen Chicago firefighters
By Sun-Times staff
 
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Crime
Police issue alert after a string of armed robberies is reported on Northwest Side
Authorities say four gun-wielding suspects are being sought in 10 holdups early Sunday morning in Hermosa, Humboldt Park and Logan Square.
By Sun-Times Wire
 
Jenise Rodriguez, owner of Sanar Aesthetics in the Logan Square neighborhood, sits in her spa, Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Business
Neighborhood businesses offering a human touch thrive in next stage of pandemic
Small business owners who talked to the Sun-Times in 2020 share how, three years later, they’ve made it to the other side.
By Michael Loria
 
Ald. Chris Taliaferro (left) has been forced into a runoff in the 29th Ward, while the final ballot tally for February’s election gave Ald. Daniel La Spata (right) outright victory Wednesday in the 1st.
Elections
Write-in ballots force Taliaferro into 29th Ward runoff — but La Spata ekes out reelection in 1st
The official results, including all eligible mail-in ballots counted by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners on Wednesday, put Ald. Chris Taliaferro 25 votes shy of the majority he needed to win a third term outright.
By Mitchell Armentrout
 
Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st) speaks at a news conference last year.
Elections
‘A mail-biter’? Ald. La Spata ‘encouraged’ by slim margin in 1st Ward — but casts wary eye to ballots trickling in by mail
Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st) had 50.1% of the vote after the latest batch of mail-in ballots were tallied, putting him just 12 votes over the minimum needed to avoid a runoff against challenger Sam Royko.
By Sun-Times staff
 
Alan Gillman works his Ace Hardware store at 2118 N. Milwaukee Ave. He is closing his family business after a 75-year run.
Business
Gillman’s Ace Hardware to close after 75 years in Logan Square
“I’m still walking through this kind of numb. It really hasn’t hit home,” says owner Alan Gillman, 64, who’s been holding a liquidation sale since January.
By David Struett
 
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Elections
Gardiner, Villegas headed to runoff as incumbents (mostly) cruise in Northwest Side wards
James Gardiner faced several scandals in his first term on the City Council; Jessica Gutierrez is poised for a runoff to replace Ariel Reboyras after falling 300 votes short in 2019.
By Andy Grimm and Allison Novelo
 
First Ward candidates (clockwise from top left) former Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno, Ald. Daniel La Spata, Stephen “Andy” Schneider and Sam Royko.
Elections
Grudge match in North Side’s 1st Ward offers newsy names, while race in affluent 43rd puts money up for debate
It would be the comeback story of the year if disgraced ex-Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno can unseat Ald. Daniel La Spata in the 1st Ward. And in the wealthy nearby 43rd Ward, Ald. Timmy Knudsen is trying to prevent his appointment from fizzling out as one of the City Council’s shortest terms.
By Mitchell Armentrout
 
Open Books located at 2068 North Milwaukee in the Logan Square neighborhood, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
Logan Square
Open Books expands into Logan Square, selling used books to give back
The Logan Square storefront, which opened Jan. 18, makes Open Books the largest used bookstore chain in Chicago. The literacy nonprofit dedicates funds to provide free books and after-school programming for local students.
By Ilana Arougheti
 
A mural on Avondale Avenue in Logan Square done in October by artist Chloe Becky.
Why are those eyeballs floating? That and more about Logan Square mural near Kennedy Expressway
By Sun-Times staff
 
Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th), shown at a Chicago City Council meeting in November, was appointed to the Council in 2009 by Mayor Richard M. Daley.
News
Ald. Roberto Maldonado withdraws from race for Chicago City Council
Ald. Maldonado (26th) becomes the 16th member of the Council not seeking reelection. He has served on the Council since 2009, when he was appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley.
By Fran Spielman
 
Tenant Becca Smith, 26, was among those protesting outside her Logan Square apartment building Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022. About two dozen renters say they’re withholding part of their rent for January to protest the lack of heat in their building for two weeks in December.
Chicago
After 2 weeks with limited heat, some Logan Square tenants refuse to pay full rent
The tenants say it took two weeks for the problem to be resolved.
By Stefano Esposito
 
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Entertainment and Culture
‘Let’s get out there and celebrate!’ First night of Hanukkah marked with car parade, grand menorah lighting
More than 75 cars topped with bright menorahs joined a procession across Chicago, marking the start of eight nights of celebration and bearing witness to the community’s strength, resilience and openness.
By Emmanuel Camarillo
 
Video from city cameras show a robbery victim being tossed to the ground shortly before a Chicgago police officer fires five shots that shatter the front passenger window of the fleeing SUV.
City Hall
Video shows mayor’s security detail shoot out robbers’ SUV window during exchange of gunfire in Logan Square
Three robbers pulled up to the 1800 block of North Monticello Avenue on Nov. 1 and began rifling through a parked car after pulling the sole occupant out at gunpoint, according to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability and the videos released by the agency.
By Tom Schuba
 
A Chicago police SUV
Crime
10 armed robberies reported in under 2 hours on North and West sides
Police warn residents to take precautions as three of the people were struck on the head with a gun.
By Sun-Times Wire
 
Firefighters responded to an extra-alarm blaze Nov. 22, 2022, in Logan Square.
News
Person killed in extra-alarm fire in Logan Square
The fire broke out in the 1800 block of North Sawyer Avenue shortly before 6 a.m., according to Chicago fire officials.
By Sun-Times Wire
 
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