Ariel Parrella
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arielparrella.bsky.social
Ariel Parrella
@arielparrella.bsky.social
Logan Square/Avondale/Humboldt Park reporter/periodista
@BlockClubCHI | 🚲 🇮🇹 y español. tips + dog photos: [email protected]
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
Snowy owls were spotted near the Montrose bird sanctuary, drawing crowds to the lakefront. Park blockclubchi.co/3Xg2f5y
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
November 24, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
Little Village’s 26th Street is slowly coming back to life after months of immigration raids. blockclubchi.co/4rnuRrk
November 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Last week I sat down with Andrea, whose husband was recently taken by immigration officials. Despite navigating a new normal — and a complicated court system — she was all smiles as she told me about her family’s journey to Chicago&the support she’s received from neighbors. blockclubchi.co/3LLpUZ2
Chicago Immigrants Struggling With Mental Health After ICE Raids: 'They Want Us To Be Scared'
Mental health professionals are providing impacted families with free support, workshops and guides, which some say have helped. But the trauma lingers.
blockclubchi.co
November 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
A pair of snowy owls on the coast of Chicago
November 18, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund launched in 2020 to provide bond assistance to people navigating the complex immigration legal system. That mission has become more difficult under the second Trump administration, the group said. blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/17/b... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
A Midwest Bond Fund Is Helping Detained Chicago Immigrants Return To Their Families
The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund launched in 2020 to provide bond assistance to people navigating the complex immigration legal system. That mission has become more difficult under the second Trump a...
blockclubchicago.org
November 18, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Saturday redirecting city funds towards food banks and other organizations fighting food insecurity in the wake of changes to SNAP benefits. blockclubchi.co/3XvlckC
November 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
Shop Local 2025: A LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses Gift Guide 🎁

From queer literature to tickets to a drag cooking class, you’ll find something for everyone at these LGBTQ+-owned businesses while supporting a marginalized community. blockclubchi.co/3WWQpwZ
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Some happy news: The Kratowicz family completed their $90K goal to buy a new van with over 350 people who signed up for the weekend's 5K! www.instagram.com/p/DRFsdNYEYH_/
November 17, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Friends, strangers and medical practitioners are coming together to support an Avondale family’s need for a wheelchair-accessible van that will help them care for their two sons with complex medical issues. A 5K run/walk this weekend will support their cause.
blockclubchi.co/3WUgFbf
Avondale Neighbors Rally To Help Family Buy ADA Van For 2 Boys With Special Needs
The Kratowicz family have wanted to buy an ADA van since this summer, when their boys, Sullivan, 3, and Tatum, 2, were diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called D-Bifunctional Protein Deficiency.
blockclubchi.co
November 12, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
Spoke with Chicago Abortion Fund Executive Director Megan Jeyifo and Deputy Gov. Grace Hou about their efforts to protect reproductive freedom as CAF celebrates their 40th anniversary

blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/11/c...
Chicago Abortion Fund Celebrates Milestone As State Expands Reproductive Health Efforts
At the 40-year mark, the Chicago nonprofit — the largest independent abortion fund in the country — is serving record numbers of patients.
blockclubchicago.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
On the day when reports continue to say that Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino and agents are to leave Chicago, Bovino shares this highly edited photo from the Bean photo op on Monday. Note the blurred faces.

My original story in @blockclubchi.bsky.social: blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/10/b...
November 12, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Some positive news regarding Chi Arts in Humboldt Park from @chalkbeat.org: The Chicago Board of Education school board decided to keep ChiArts open as a district-run school and provide $1.5 million for the transition. blockclubchi.co/4nHY3G9
Chicago School Board Votes To Keep ChiArts Open, Close EPIC Academy
The school board is ending agreements with independent operators of the two high schools. Chicago High School for the Arts will remain open as a district-run school.
blockclubchicago.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Get ready! Two-way traffic around Logan Square is set to begin Nov. 6. It’s arguably the most anticipated part of the project — and the most confusing. Since it's been a long time coming, I broke down how the new pattern will work and why the city chose a two-way design.
blockclubchi.co/4qBbgDy
Logan Square's Highly Anticipated 2-Way Traffic Circle Pattern To Open Next Week
The updated pattern adds safer pedestrian crossings, improves traffic flow and allows for parts of the square to more easily close for community events, officials said.
blockclubchi.co
October 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
Context: As Old Irving Park prepares for Halloween festivities, neighbors are on edge after masked federal immigration agents unleashed tear gas in the community Saturday, leading to the cancellation of a children’s costume parade. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/a...
October 30, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Some great friday news for Portage Park!
The historic Portage Theater has a new owner who plans to revive it as a community space. blockclubchi.co/3J0uEZR
October 24, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
Apartments and townhomes are being pitched for a vacant Avondale lot. blockclubchi.co/42UMHY0
October 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Ald. Jessie Fuentes, whom federal agents handcuffed and threatened with arrest, has taken the first step toward suing the federal government, saying she wants to hold the agents accountable and show she wasn’t intimidated by violence.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/21/c...
Chicago Alderperson Demands $100,000 In Damages After ICE Agent Handcuffed Her
The incident left Fuentes with injuries to her wrists, shoulders and arms, including bruising and "extreme mental distress, anguish and fear," according to a claim she filed Tuesday.
blockclubchicago.org
October 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
A Chicago high schooler had just returned from chemotherapy. Then ICE arrested her father. blockclubchi.co/4njEhR7
October 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
"With no billionaire owners to answer to, @blockclubchi.bsky.social believes their responsibility is to the community." — @charlesmblow.bsky.social

Don't miss @jensabella.bsky.social + @afrodip.bsky.social in this new doc series on the crisis facing local news. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymb...
Reformation
YouTube video by Press Forward
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
A federal judge pressed ICE and Border Patrol leaders on their tactics and use of tear gas in Chicago. blockclubchi.co/4n9ww05
October 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
"Please Show Up"
Despite fear and uncertainty in the area, business owners are trying to stay positive and hope outsiders will come patronize their shops: “One less dinner in Roscoe Village and Wrigley and out in this neighborhood that needs help will make a huge difference. blockclubchi.co/4ouCMAR
Belmont Cragin Business Owners Beg For Support As ICE Fears Devastate Sales And Closures Loom
Despite fear and uncertainty in the area, business owners are trying to stay positive: "One less dinner in Roscoe Village and Wrigley and out in this neighborhood that needs help will make a huge diff...
blockclubchi.co
October 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Yesterday I spent the day in Belmont Cragin talking to neighbors and business owners who have seen a dramatic slump in business. It was emotional to hear that some businesses, all family or locally owned, could close if they don’t see enough sales within the next two months.
blockclubchi.co/4ouCMAR
Belmont Cragin Business Owners Beg For Support As ICE Fears Devastate Sales And Closures Loom
Despite fear and uncertainty in the area, business owners are trying to stay positive: "One less dinner in Roscoe Village and Wrigley and out in this neighborhood that needs help will make a huge diff...
blockclubchi.co
October 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by Ariel Parrella
I’m back from vacation, and put together the past few days’ strong images from our @blockclubchi.bsky.social team.

GALLERY: Two Weeks In Photos: Chicagoans Stand Up To ICE, Johnson's New Budget And Much More blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/17/t...
October 17, 2025 at 7:46 PM