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City Cast Chicago

Emily Mack

, I covered Northeastern Illinois University’s plans to seize a block of nearby Bryn Mawr through eminent domain. A decade on, nothing has replaced those former businesses and homes.

To commemorate the “Bummer on Bryn Mawr,” as one poster put it, neighbors recently held a somber tenth anniversary.

I attended — I’m a neighbor too. I grew up around the corner and vividly remember Hunan Wok and Ugly Hookah Cafe, the long-surviving travel agency and busy salon … now vacant storefronts.

NEIU revealed plans for mixed-use student dormitories on Bryn Mawr between Bernard and Kimball in 2014, amid declining enrollment. To build them, the public university would use 

 there. The news shocked neighbors, as NEIU was — and is — a primarily commuter school.

By late 2016, affected Bryn Mawr properties were either seized by or sold to the school. A decade on, NEIU 

. Plans for the Bryn Mawr dorms were scrapped in 2021, and NEIU has struggled to unload the buildings.

Some businesses from those buildings pivoted successfully: Day and Night, a convenience store, and popular Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club relocated down the street. Only the 711 stayed, with the state as its landlord, thus prohibiting the sale of alcohol and slicing profits. The 

The Hollywood-North Park Community Association held a so-called 

 along the 12 empty storefronts Wednesday. Over 20 neighbors gathered with signs and balloons to call attention to what HNPCA chair Andrew Johnson called “blight in our neighborhood.”

Some attendees lovingly recalled takeout from Hunan Wok. But most didn't focus on what used to be on Bryn Mawr — they just want to see new life there.

As neighbor Ryan O'Connell pointed out, the area is landlocked by two cemeteries. “You just ride through, and it's like nothing, nothing, nothing … We're just missing something here.”

In the street, HNPCA members passed out flyers. “We’re celebrating eminent domain!” one explained sarcastically. Drivers honked in approval.

Looming above her was an NEIU billboard that declared: “Our mission is you.” One attendee scoffed at that: “Your mission is YOU,” her sign read.

 this year that includes the Bryn Mawr stretch.

“ I hope they've got the tools to do right … This should be a win-win situation,” Johnson said.

Challenges like these aren’t confined to Bryn Mawr. In Rogers Park, Loyola University is facing pressure over 

 decades after taking over the surrounding neighborhood.

But in quiet North Park, residents are done staying mum.

A decade after NEIU seized a block of Bryn Mawr through eminent domain, nothing has replaced those former businesses.

10 Years of Nothing on Bryn Mawr

No Business as Usual on Bryn Mawr

What Chicagoans have been wondering. We break down why things in Chicago are the way they are and how they work.

Chicago, Explained

In honor of National Inventor Month, we’re taking a moment to admire 

Chicago’s many contributions to the world

, many of which debuted at the Chicago World’s Fair. The fair took place from May to October in 1893, launching America — and Chicago — as a cultural superpower.

How well do you know those cultural exports?

In honor of National Inventor Month, we’re taking a moment to admire Chicago’s many contributions to the world, many of which debuted at the Chicago World’s Fair. The fair took place from May to October in 1893, launching America — and Chicago — as a cultural superpower.

World's Fair Invention Quiz

Do You Know Your World’s Fair Inventions?

Have you been following the news in Chicago this week? Prove it! Take the City Cast Chicago news quiz.

Looking for a previous Hey Chicago news quiz? Find it here.

How closely were you paying attention to this week's current events? Test yourself in our weekly trivia quiz.

Your Weekly News Trivia Quiz

Take This Week's Chicago News Trivia Quiz

We’re about one week into bridge-lifting season in Chicago. That means all 27 bridges along the Main and South branches of the Chicago River lift twice a week to accommodate boats.

But maybe you already knew that. Maybe you’re a bridge expert. Or maybe you just listened to 

yesterday’s podcast about the (poor) state of Chicago bridges

Think you know Chicago bridges? Test your knowledge!

Chicago Bridges Quiz

Lincolnwood Town Center shuts down at the end of this month — depending who you ask. I’ve seen posts about the mall’s impending closure on social media, but no official reports. So I went to check things out for myself.

, and Lincolnwood is no exception. After years of rising vacancy, the mall was sold to Prairie Ridge Development and Xroads Real Estate Advisors late last year.

A redevelopment plan is in the works, but Xroads declined to comment on what that might look like. 

Creating a tax increment financing (TIF) district

In the meantime, the Village of Lincolnwood says it’s 

At Lincolnwood Town Center last week, I found a half-empty mall. The food court was cordoned off, with nowhere to get a bite in the entire place (RIP Coffee Beanery).

But a half-empty mall is still half full. Unlike what I saw on an 

, Lincolnwood had foot traffic. The line at Old Navy was 

. Tween boys biked loops near the defunct food court. There was literally a party at Paint-N-Party!

The perspectives of employees ranged. Some were getting ready to pack up. Mulan, a women’s shoe store, looked ransacked thanks to a BOGO deal. It, along with most other shops, will close by the end of the month. Victoria’s Secret and JD Sports plan to stay in business, though workers don’t know for how long.

Old Navy’s general manager said their lease is through the end of the year, and they’ve received no notice to vacate. However, if teardown on the mall begins, she worries about how shoppers will access the store.

That’s not a problem for exterior store Kohl’s, which says it will stay open, regardless of the rest of the mall's fate.

For me, the fate of Lincolnwood Town Center feels personal.

When I was five years old, I got my picture-day outfit from the Children’s Place there and a Skip-It from the toy store across the way. A few years later, my mom was spoiling me at Claire’s. I eventually graduated to Charlotte Russe and Wet Seal. In eighth grade, my boyfriend and I got matching studded belts at Hot Topic. Our squad used to bum around for hours on the uncomfortable blue ribbed chairs of the food court, 

 (plus fries from Great Steak) and watching All-American Rejects videos on the massive TVs. We were just excited to take the Kimball just past the city limits. We didn’t have anywhere else to go.

I loved hanging out at the mall. I think about it every time I shop online. I’ll think about it every time I take the northbound Kimball bus — I wonder what the last stop will 

 without Lincolnwood Town Center. I wonder where today’s 13-year-olds are supposed to hang out.

Lincolnwood Town Center shuts down April 30 — depending who you ask. I went to the mall to check things out for myself.

The End of an Era for Lincolnwood Town Center

The End of an Era For Lincolnwood Town Center

Rat birth control IS working in Wicker Park.

disseminating contraception in local alleyways

, rat-track density is reportedly down by 88%. The city now plans to expand rat birth control further throughout Wicker Park and Bucktown.

Let’s celebrate the humane news with a good, old-fashioned rat quiz!

Rat birth control IS working in Wicker Park. Let’s celebrate the humane news with a good, old-fashioned rat quiz!

The Chicago Rat Quiz

The Rat Quiz

Yesterday was a cold, blustery election day in Chicago. Voter turnout was just over 

. But I know you City Cast Chicago readers did your civic duty.

So without further ado, let’s review who won.

The retirement of longtime Sen. Dick Durbin has opened up a super competitive Democratic race — ultimately won by Lt. Gov. 

. She beat out fellow frontrunners U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th) and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (2nd), in addition to seven other party hopefuls, winning about 40% of the vote.

Stratton will face former state GOP chairman Don Tracy in November’s general election.

Meanwhile, Krishnamoorthi and Kelly both forfeited their congressional seats in order to run for senate.

will replace Kelly on the Democratic ticket. Earning 40% of the vote, she beat out Jesse Jackson Jr. who hoped to win back his former seat 

years after pleading guilty to financial misdeeds

. In November, Miller faces Republican Michael Noack, who ran uncontested in the primary.

 beat out twelve candidates, including Chicago treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, to hopefully succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Danny Davis. Ford earned 24% of the vote and will face Republican Chad Koppie in November.

 beat out seven other Democrats to win back her old seat given up by Krishnamoorthi, with 32% of the vote. 

 when the district went red in 2010. She’ll be up against Republican Jennifer Davis in the general.

 won out the crowded race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Biss earned just over 29% of the vote, 

 Kat Abughazaleh, state Sen. Laura Fine, and 12 others. In the general, Biss will face Republican John Elleson.


other (less competitive) congressional races here.

Cook County Board President: Toni Preckwinkle 

 from the relatively conservative Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) but ultimately won with over 68% of the vote.

 aiming to become comptroller, state Rep. 

 over state Sen. Karina Villa. Croke will face Republican Bryan Drew, who ran uncontested in the primary, in November.

Leading up to the election, the county Democratic party 

 Fritz Kaegi. Ultimately, voters did too. Kaegi lost to suburban assessor 

. Nicholson won 62% of the vote. Another incumbent commissioner 

 maintained his seat despite a challenge from activist Juanita Irizarry, earning 53% of the vote.

ran uncontested and will face off against Republican 

Voter turnout was just over 25% when polls closed yesterday. Let’s review who won.

Chicago’s 2026 Primary Results

Valentine’s Day is coming up. In Chicago, that means another anniversary of the 

: On Feb. 14, 1929, Al Capone’s men gunned down seven rival gang members in Lincoln Park. The bloodshed quickly earned its 

, forever tainting Chicago as an apparent crime capital and catapulting Capone to infamy.

some experts question whether Capone even took out the hit

. He was hiding out in Miami at the time. If you look a little further, it turns out lots of local Capone lore is straight-up bull. That was the focus of “Debunking Grandma’s Al Capone Stories,” a recent lecture by 

It’s a beloved Chicago factoid that Capone liked to hang at the Green Mill, keeping an eye on both exits. 

But the story really started with a barfly in the ‘80s

. And that big ol’ booth Capone supposedly loved? Renovations took place 

 and again in the ‘80s … you do the math. Then again, it still 

 like the roaring ‘20s in there, and that should count for something.

While it wasn’t smart for Capone to spend much time in clubs, he controlled the Pony Inn, as it was near his Cicero headquarters. An assistant state's attorney was 

, a restaurant where you can video-gamble. (Capone would love that.)

🤣 Probably Fake: Scurrying through Tunnels

Another part of the Green Mill legend is that Capone used a trap door in the bar, leading to tunnels, to escape raids. But according to Selzer: “If there was a liquor raid in one of his places, he probably had the raiders on payroll already.” 

👍 Probably Real: Present-Day Giordano’s

 that the pair lived in an apartment on Farwell and Sheridan when they moved to Chicago in 1921 … aka the 

. Many gangsters lived in the Rogers Park area, Selzer said. (Later, Capone’s family lived in Greater Grand Crossing at 

🤷🏼‍♀️ Kinda Fake, Kinda Real: The Congress Hotel

 from the Congress Hotel about the St. Valentine's Day massacre, and he had previously held meetings there. However, Capone never stayed or lived at the Congress, which means the ghostly presence I felt on the eighth floor was someone else … Capone spent more time at the 

, where he bought silk shirts; a bank at 2218 S. Wabash Ave., where he kept 

 glamorous, but hey, Capone wasn’t actually the clubby man about town he’s remembered as. Rather, he was 

Chicagoans are still spinning stories of Al Capone

🏨 Chicago’s haunted hotels (with Adam Selzer!) 

If you look at historical evidence, it turns out lots of local Capone lore is straight-up bull. Yes, even the Green Mill. Probably.

Where Did Al Capone Really Hang Out?

You don’t need me to remind you how cold it is — but people still gotta get around. Many Chicagoans (braver souls than I) are still biking. Or, perhaps, you’re winter-biking-curious?

Either way, we’ve got tips from an expert: David Powe, assistant commissioner at the Chicago Department of Transportation. Powe leads Chicago’s micromobility programs, including Divvy bikeshare, Lime scooter operations, and Bike Chicago. Rain or shine (or snow or cold), he’s the bike guy.

The following has been edited for length and clarity.

What are tips for biking in cold (and very cold) weather?

“Layering and protecting your head, hands, and feet matters most,” Powe said.

Lobster gloves between -10 and 20 degrees

A neck gaiter and wool beanie down to about 20 degrees

A balaclava with the wool beanie for lower temps

Make sure your hair is fully dry before heading out. (This is important!)

Once temperatures drop to 10 degrees, it’s time to double up.


Do people actually use Divvy in the winter?

“There is a seasonal dip in Divvy ridership during the winter months, which is natural … but also winter ridership receives a boost from our year-round cyclists, who switch to Divvy to avoid wear and tear on their own bikes. That’s actually how I got into using Divvy before I started working for the city.”

How does the city support winter bike safety?

“The city focuses on keeping major bike routes usable year-round through snow removal, salting, and ongoing maintenance. We also work closely with Divvy and other partners to maintain bikes, ensure stations remain operational, and communicate safety guidance to riders throughout the season.

Though our crews have been hard at work clearing snow from bike lanes across the city, we need all hands on deck to keep them that way and ask that people do not push or pile snow into bike lanes when shoveling sidewalks to protect our cyclists.”

CDOT's David Powe, who leads Chicago’s Divvy program, has expert tips for biking in brutal weather. 

Tips for Biking in the Winter in Chicago

Tips for Biking When It’s Cold in Chicago

 — but does it qualify as a polar vortex?

The frosty term gained popularity back in 2014, when 

temperatures in Chicago hit -16 degrees Fahrenheit

: a record low. It was so cold that Chicago Public Schools cancelled class over the temperature alone. (I still fondly remember those rare days off.)

But, according to Scott Lincoln, a senior hydrologist with the National Weather Service, the “polar vortex” isn’t really a thing. At least not how Chicagoans generally use the term.

First, the polar vortex doesn’t come and go. It’s a circulation of air around Earth’s poles, and 

, swirling 10 to 30 miles above us in the stratosphere.

The polar vortex is weaker in the summer and stronger in the winter. But sometimes, when polar vortex winds are not circling the pole as quickly, sections can move away from the pole. (Lincoln likened the typical movement to a flushing toilet bowl.) This allows the jet stream to move south, and we feel the cold air.

That’s what happened in 2014 and again in 2019, when 

However, Lincoln could not definitively say whether our current cold spell resulted from a disruption in the polar vortex. At least not yet. He’s more focused on how this cold is spreading across the country: aka the jet stream.

Chicago is experiencing an arctic air mass moving southeast from Canada. And we’re not the only ones: about two-thirds of the country is locked into 

 hear people (erroneously) referring to it as a polar vortex, overall, usage of the expression has waned.

As Lincoln explained, “You may have noticed that people are talking less about [the polar vortex] in recent years because the ‘buzz’ of the term has diminished since it became popular several years ago.”

A new phrase picking up steam appears to be 

, perhaps semantics isn’t exactly top of mind. 

Chicago experienced polar vortex events in 2019 and 2014, but this current cold spell doesn't qualify. Probably. 