Melody Mercado

Chicago

Covering the Loop for @BlockClubCHI • Past @DMRegister @who13news @DePaulJOUR MA • Former D1 athlete • Boricua 🇵🇷• [email protected]

Articles

Downtown's Weekly Food Truck Festival Returns For 10th Year In Daley Plaza

1 day ago | blockclubchicago.org | Melody Mercado

CHICAGO — The city’s weekly food truck festival returns to Daley Plaza on Friday. The Chicago Food Truck Festival will run 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every Friday through Oct. 3 at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., and will feature a rotating selection of food trucks, according to a news release. Now in its 10th year, the festival has become an annual tradition Downtown.
Washington Square Park Slated For Reseeding This Fall

2 days ago | blockclubchicago.org | Melody Mercado

DOWNTOWN — Residents can learn more about a proposal to reseed Washington Square Park at a community meeting Wednesday night. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., and is being hosted by the Washington Square Park Advisory Council, according to flyers posted at the park. The council will discuss a proposal to aerate and reseed all four quadrants of the nearly three-acre park at 901 N.
Here Are The Latest Restaurants And Bars Opening Downtown

2 days ago | blockclubchicago.org | Melody Mercado

DOWNTOWN — New restaurants and bars have opened Downtown in time for summer, and more are coming soon. Here’s the latest. Momento Taquería debuted as a pop-up last year at Lollapalooza and operated through the summer in Grant Park. The Mexican-owned spot has now opened a full-service restaurant at 36 E. Monroe St. in the Loop with self-order kiosks. Momento brings Mexico City tacos to Chicago with bold and spicy flavors, according to its website.
Mayor Johnson's 'Green Social Housing' Plan Passes City Council

1 week ago | blockclubchicago.org | Melody Mercado

CITY HALL — After weeks of delay and pushback from mayoral foes and allies alike, the City Council on Wednesday passed one of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s top policy priorities aimed at creating more affordable housing in Chicago.
Au Cheval's Flagship Restaurant Temporarily Closed For A 'Refresh'

1 week ago | blockclubchicago.org | Melody Mercado

FULTON MARKET — One of Chicago’s most iconic burger restaurants is closed for the next couple of weeks. Au Cheval, from Hogsalt Hospitality, announced on its website that it is temporarily closed for a refresh. “We look forward to welcoming you back late May,” the restaurant posted on its website this week.
Taste Of Randolph 2025 Lineup Includes OK Go, Phantogram, Chromeo, J Worra And More

1 week ago | blockclubchicago.org | Melody Mercado

FULTON MARKET — Taste of Randolph returns this summer with 33 musical performances and at least 16 restaurants lined up for the popular three-day street fest. The festival at 900 W. Randolph St. kicks off Friday, June 13 from 5-10 p.m. and continues noon-10 p.m., June 14-15. Headliners on the east and west music stages include Phantogram, J. Worra, Gene Farris, Spitalfield, Kyle Watson, Slow Pulp and Chromeo. Other performers include Jeilah, Girl Math and Slow Joy.
Bally’s Construction Halted Amid Questions About Subcontractor Previously Linked To Mob

1 week ago | blockclubchicago.org | Melody Mercado

RIVER WEST — Construction on Bally’s River West casino has been halted after a Chicago Sun-Times investigation revealed the construction project was using an unauthorized subcontractor previously linked to organized crime. D&P Construction, a Melrose Park company that the FBI alleged had ties to the Chicago mob, was providing dumpsters at the casino site, the Sun-Times found.
‘We Will Never Bow'

1 week ago | blockclubchicago.org | Melody Mercado

CHICAGO — Thousands marched Thursday to commemorate May Day, demanding fair wages, protections for immigrant workers and denouncing President Donald Trump’s agenda. Chicago was one of hundreds of cities across the country where people took to the streets to mark May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, a holiday with deep roots in the city’s labor history. The march began Thursday morning in Union Park, with participants making their way to Grant Park by the afternoon.
Chicago 'Snap' Curfew Vote Delayed Amid Legal, Ethical Concerns

1 week ago | blockclubchicago.org | Melody Mercado

CITY HALL — A controversial proposal that would allow Chicago police to implement a curfew anytime and anywhere in the city has been put on hold. The pause came after hours of debate during a Public Safety Committee meeting Wednesday where alderpeople raised legal and ethical concerns about the ordinance. Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) said he thinks he has enough support to pass the measure, but he recessed the meeting to address lingering questions from his colleagues.
New DuSable Park Plans Would Bring A Boardwalk, Lush Greenery To The Lakefront

2 weeks ago | blockclubchicago.org | Melody Mercado

STREETERVILLE — Newly unveiled plans for the long-undeveloped DuSable Park call for a boardwalk, lush native greenery and a pavilion to help visitors learn about the park’s namesake and Chicago’s first non-Indigenous Black founder. The 3.5-acre park at 401 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive is on a small peninsula east of Lake Shore Drive. It has been in the works since 1987, when former Mayor Harold Washington gave the land to the Park District to develop a park in honor of Jean Baptiste Point du Sable.