Latest news with #BlockClubChicago
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Major city braces for shocking heat wave as meteorologist warns of summer-like surge: 'It's going to feel like mid-July'
It was only the middle of May, but Chicago was already feeling like July. A Windy City meteorologist warned it would be the most sweltering day of the season so far. The mercury soared to a steamy 94 degrees at O'Hare Airport on May 15, setting a new record high for the date in Chicago. A WGN-TV veteran meteorologist saw it coming. "It's going to feel like mid-July instead of mid-May," meteorologist Bill Snyder predicted, per Block Club Chicago. The heat that day broke the previous record set 63 years ago by three degrees. Could this be an omen for a sizzling summer in Chicago? Per NOAA, last summer was the city's fourth warmest on record. The summer of 2024 was preceded by Chicago's seventh-warmest spring. The first two months of spring in Chicago this year ranked as the 25th-warmest March-through-April period on record. Meanwhile, the first three weeks of May have been slightly cooler than average, around one degree below normal. Other major cities this May have been much hotter. Houston climbed into the mid-90s during the middle of May, setting record highs for three straight days. Houston's nights during this stretch didn't offer much relief. The city had record warm low temperatures for five consecutive mornings from May 16 through May 20. Phoenix climbed to 100 degrees or hotter five times during the first three weeks of May. There are indications that this summer could be a scorcher. The Climate Prediction Center's summer temperature outlook favors every portion of the contiguous U.S. to have above-average temperatures this summer. Of the country's top 20 hottest summers, 15 have happened since 2000, and just over half of them have occurred since 2010. An analysis of 242 U.S. cities by Climate Central, a nonprofit group made up of scientists and communicators who study how the changing climate impacts people's lives, revealed that 97% of them have warmed since 1970. Over the past 55 years, these locations saw an average increase of 2.6 degrees. Their study also found that there has been a rise in the number of summer days exceeding the 1991-2020 average summer temperature for 97% of the locations analyzed. Heat waves elevate the risks of early and preterm deaths, especially among those most susceptible: Black and Hispanic mothers. Australian researchers warn that as global temperatures climb, deadly heat waves are becoming the new normal — especially endangering residents of urban areas. A breakthrough by researchers in Hong Kong could help people avoid the heat without harming the planet, thanks to a promising new eco-friendly cooling method. Scientists have also found a way to lower the temperature of hot surfaces that sit in the sun, like glass, and it could make buildings much cooler. The best way to cool down the planet will require a concerted worldwide effort to curb the emissions of heat-trapping gases in our atmosphere. This means moving away from dirty energy sources and embracing cleaner alternatives. Installing a heat pump in place of an old HVAC system and replacing a conventional range with a more energy-efficient induction stove are two ways homeowners can help. Adding solar panels and a battery system can boost your home's resilience during extreme weather and power outages while also cutting energy costs, in some cases to zero. EnergySage lets you compare quotes from trusted local installers, with potential savings up to $10,000. Have your AC bills gone up in the past year? Yes — majorly Yes — by a little Not really They've actually gone down Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Time Out
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Chicago burger icon Au Cheval has temporarily closed—here's why
It's home to one of the best burgers in all of Chicago, a cheeseburger so good that, yes, we will begrudgingly wait on an hours-long line for it—so why exactly is Au Cheval closed right now? If you've tried to dine at the elevated diner at 800 W Randolph St in recent days, you'll notice that the usual patty-grilling proceedings have been paused But don't fret! According to Brendan Sodikoff, CEO of the restaurant's hospitality group Hogsalt, the shuttering will only be temporary, a result of a planned "refresh" of the restaurant's interiors According to Block Club Chicago, the West Loop flagship of the famous burger joint—which also has a sister location in New York City's Tribeca)—will have some "cosmetic" nips and tucks over the next few weeks, including "painting, fixing tile and upholstery as needed.' As for when the restaurant and its standout burger will return on Chicago's culinary scene, the Au Cheval website presently boasts a banner that reads: "We are temporarily closed for a refresh. We look forward to welcoming you back late May." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Au Cheval Diner (@auchevaldiner) While Au Cheval proper remains closed for the majority of the month, its spinoff spot Small Cheval—which similarly serves juicy double-decker cheeseburgers as well as fried chicken, dipped cones, craft cocktails and more—will still be operating, with locations in Rosemont, Hyde Park, Riverside Plaza, Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Waveland, Milwaukee Ave and Lake St. Prolific restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff—whose Chicago-based restaurant empire includes local eateries like Ciccio Mio, Aster Hall, Bavette's, Lobster Bar and High Five Ramen, among others—opened Au Cheval back in 2012 and soon gained national attention for its signature double cheeseburger, which comes piled high with Kraft singles, Dijonnaise and house-made pickles, and optional add-ons like a fried egg or thick-cut bacon.
Time Out
21-04-2025
- Business
- Time Out
This Lincoln Square block is going car-free this whole week
If you drive through Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood regularly, note that your daily commute will be a little different this week. The one-way street along the 4700 block of North Lincoln Avenue—the stretch between Lawrence and Leland Avenues—will be closed to vehicle traffic for a whole week, beginning today, April 21. The road closure is due to ongoing construction to upgrade the Western Avenue Brown Line station, a nearby public plaza and parking lot, reports Block Club Chicago. Traffic will be barred from entering the no-cars zone for at least a week, depending on the weather, per officials. However, the commercial corridor will remain opens for pedestrians and cyclists, so you'll still be able to access the area without your automobile. This isn't the only traffic closure planned for the neighborhood: the 2200 block of West Leland Avenue will also be shunned to vehicles just east of Lincoln Avenue beginning next Monday, April 28. That closure reportedly has been scheduled to last for about 10 days, weather permitting. Southbound traffic on Lincoln Avenue will graciously not be impacted, and a pedestrian path will be maintained, officials said. Though the area will see less car traffic in the coming weeks due to the closure plans, the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce has worked to boost foot traffic and keep pedestrians frequenting the neighborhood's small businesses. In fact, while the street is temporarily closed to cars, the 4700 block of North Lincoln Avenue is hosting an open-air Spring Sidewalk Sale from today through Sunday, April 27, with local vendors such as Raw Edge, Gearhead Outfitters, Genevieve, The Chopping Block and more selling fashion items, home goods, food products and gifts on site. There will also be special in-store promotions for those who prefer to browse inside. "While the City of Chicago continues its streetscape improvements, we're making the most of it—with exclusive deals, pop-up tables and special in-store promotions at your favorite local shops," announced the Chamber of Commerce. "Now more than ever, our small businesses need your support! Come out to shop, dine and discover amazing finds while keeping our local economy thriving."
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Editorial: An uproar in Hyde Park and Kenwood over an old hotel turned into a homeless shelter
Homelessness in Chicago is a crisis. More housing is needed, and fast, which this page has addressed more than once. But there are few easy answers to the problem in the short run. On the border of Hyde Park and Kenwood, city officials have provided a stark example of what not to do. With next to no notice to the affected community, city and state officials decided late last year to make a former Best Western hotel, located amid lakefront high-rises, into a permanent shelter housing up to 750 people. The shuttered hotel previously was used on an emergency basis to house migrants during the surge that occurred as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was busing Venezuelan and other asylum seekers in large numbers to Chicago. At the time, the idea (or at least the neighborhood assumption) was that once the migrant crisis was past, the use of the hotel for a shelter would end. Instead, the state of Illinois, which has been operating the Best Western shelter, now plans to transfer it to the city on June 30. Since December, the city and state have worked together to convert this former migrant facility to a homeless shelter. In February, city officials acknowledged to irate neighbors of the facility that they'd failed to keep the community informed of those plans. It had taken 5th Ward Ald. Desmon Yancy's entreaties on behalf of constituents to make city officials realize 'there was a big, big problem, a big misstep here,' Chicago Chief Homelessness Officer Sendy Soto said back then, according to Block Club Chicago. Yet another meeting took place March 31, this one attended by more than 200 people, most of them still irate about what they had thought was a temporary shelter apparently becoming permanent. Yancy promised then to try to close the facility; he suggested community members file a zoning challenge. State Rep. Curtis Tarver, who represents the area and also wants the facility closed, pinned the blame squarely on the mayor, describing the lack of communication and solicitation of community input as 'ineptitude on the fifth floor.' Where have we heard that before? We're two years into Mayor Brandon Johnson's term and city officials still make amateur mistakes like thinking a 750-person homeless shelter located without warning in a stable, densely populated neighborhood won't generate an uproar. As if to reinforce the community's view that the mayor doesn't care about them, Soto was invited but didn't attend the most recent meeting. These issues are emotional no matter what. They strike at deep-seated and valid concerns like property values, public safety and orderliness and cleanliness. But let's be real: They also surface prejudices. The people in the Best Western shelter all are families with young children — the most vulnerable homeless population we have. There's a real debate to be had about what responsibility better-off neighborhoods like Hyde Park have to help solve humanitarian problems that often are laid at the feet of poorer areas. But once you've sown such distrust by appearing to make such a momentous decision a fait accompli, as city officials have done here, engaging in productive dialogue with affected neighbors becomes almost impossible because of lack of trust. Will this administration ever learn? Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@
Chicago Tribune
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Editorial: An uproar in Hyde Park and Kenwood over an old hotel turned into a homeless shelter
Homelessness in Chicago is a crisis. More housing is needed, and fast, which this page has addressed more than once. But there are few easy answers to the problem in the short run. On the border of Hyde Park and Kenwood, city officials have provided a stark example of what not to do. With next to no notice to the affected community, city and state officials decided late last year to make a former Best Western hotel, located amid lakefront high-rises, into a permanent shelter housing up to 750 people. The shuttered hotel previously was used on an emergency basis to house migrants during the surge that occurred as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was busing Venezuelan and other asylum seekers in large numbers to Chicago. At the time, the idea (or at least the neighborhood assumption) was that once the migrant crisis was past, the use of the hotel for a shelter would end. Instead, the state of Illinois, which has been operating the Best Western shelter, now plans to transfer it to the city on June 30. Since December, the city and state have worked together to convert this former migrant facility to a homeless shelter. In February, city officials acknowledged to irate neighbors of the facility that they'd failed to keep the community informed of those plans. It had taken 5th Ward Ald. Desmon Yancy's entreaties on behalf of constituents to make city officials realize 'there was a big, big problem, a big misstep here,' Chicago Chief Homelessness Officer Sendy Soto said back then, according to Block Club Chicago. Yet another meeting took place March 31, this one attended by more than 200 people, most of them still irate about what they had thought was a temporary shelter apparently becoming permanent. Yancy promised then to try to close the facility; he suggested community members file a zoning challenge. State Rep. Curtis Tarver, who represents the area and also wants the facility closed, pinned the blame squarely on the mayor, describing the lack of communication and solicitation of community input as 'ineptitude on the fifth floor.' Where have we heard that before? We're two years into Mayor Brandon Johnson's term and city officials still make amateur mistakes like thinking a 750-person homeless shelter located without warning in a stable, densely populated neighborhood won't generate an uproar. As if to reinforce the community's view that the mayor doesn't care about them, Soto was invited but didn't attend the most recent meeting. These issues are emotional no matter what. They strike at deep-seated and valid concerns like property values, public safety and orderliness and cleanliness. But let's be real: They also surface prejudices. The people in the Best Western shelter all are families with young children — the most vulnerable homeless population we have. There's a real debate to be had about what responsibility better-off neighborhoods like Hyde Park have to help solve humanitarian problems that often are laid at the feet of poorer areas. But once you've sown such distrust by appearing to make such a momentous decision a fait accompli, as city officials have done here, engaging in productive dialogue with affected neighbors becomes almost impossible because of lack of trust. Will this administration ever learn?
