Jamie Nesbitt Golden

1 week ago | blockclubchicago.org | Mack Liederman |Jamie Nesbitt Golden

CITY HALL — Two more alderpeople pushed through a ban of hemp shops in their Far South Side wards on Wednesday — with no objection from colleagues — as state lawmakers remain divided on what to do about the products. The ban from Alds. Anthony Beale (9th) and Peter Chico (10th) slaps a fine of up to $5,000 on any business caught selling hemp products in the “Lake Calumet Residential Area,” which covers their wards mainly in the city’s Roseland, Pullman, East Side and South Chicago neighborhoods.

1 week ago | blockclubchicago.org | Jamie Nesbitt Golden

SOUTH LOOP — Neighbors are calling for more signage near the Museum Campus after a pedestrian was struck and killed trying to cross DuSable Lake Shore Drive last week. The Museum Campus is connected to Grant Park via a pedestrian underpass near Roosevelt Road and Columbus Drive, but some neighbors said they regularly see people miss the underpass and attempt to cross the eight-lane drive instead, putting themselves in danger.

1 week ago | blockclubchicago.org | Maxwell Evans |Jamie Nesbitt Golden

WASHINGTON PARK — A local advocacy group will hand out more than $1 million over the next three years to support art projects that preserve and grow the “cultural identities” of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Elevated Chicago will grant $350,000 a year for three years to support public arts projects at developments near transit. The funding aims to “activate” neighborhood gathering spaces while bringing more artists into urban planning and development processes.

2 weeks ago | blockclubchicago.org | Jamie Nesbitt Golden

WASHINGTON PARK — The Bronzeville Community Garden is looking for volunteers to help get the site in shape. Neighbors can sign up to participate in cleanup days at the garden, 323 E. 51st St., beginning this month and with opportunities throughout the year. The volunteer form can be completed online. The time commitment would be 9:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to contribute, said Olivia Obineme, Bronzeville Community Garden lead.

2 weeks ago | blockclubchicago.org | Jamie Nesbitt Golden

SOUTH LOOP — Another longtime business is making its exit from the South Loop. JC Licht Ace Hardware, 725 S. State St. in Printer’s Row, will close next month after 23 years in the neighborhood. The store’s final day is May 24. The reason for the closure is unclear. Calls to the corporate offices were not returned. The hardware store is currently offering up to a 50 percent discount on select items.