15 West
@15west.org
We're a newsroom, by @luckyjefferson.com, dedicated to connecting people mile by mile in Chicago’s West Side neighborhoods and suburbs.
We’re getting news to people of all abilities.
Read the latest: 15west.org
We’re getting news to people of all abilities.
Read the latest: 15west.org
Celebrating the remaining hours of an unseasonably warm day by honoring the people who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty to build something better.
El Paseo Community Garden in Pilsen — once a polluted “brownfield” — is now a sanctuary where land stewardship, culture, and resistance grow.
El Paseo Community Garden in Pilsen — once a polluted “brownfield” — is now a sanctuary where land stewardship, culture, and resistance grow.
January 10, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Celebrating the remaining hours of an unseasonably warm day by honoring the people who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty to build something better.
El Paseo Community Garden in Pilsen — once a polluted “brownfield” — is now a sanctuary where land stewardship, culture, and resistance grow.
El Paseo Community Garden in Pilsen — once a polluted “brownfield” — is now a sanctuary where land stewardship, culture, and resistance grow.
56 years after the FBI-coordinated assassination, all survivors of the raid on 2337 W. Monroe St. gathered together for the first time.
During the historic vigil, candlelight illuminated the West Side block as the site was dedicated as part of The Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois.
During the historic vigil, candlelight illuminated the West Side block as the site was dedicated as part of The Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois.
December 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
56 years after the FBI-coordinated assassination, all survivors of the raid on 2337 W. Monroe St. gathered together for the first time.
During the historic vigil, candlelight illuminated the West Side block as the site was dedicated as part of The Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois.
During the historic vigil, candlelight illuminated the West Side block as the site was dedicated as part of The Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois.
After a record-breaking playoff debut, the #ChicagoWinds are recruiting for Year 2.
89 athletes competed for 53 roster spots at recent tryouts in Oak Park.
"I never want to leave. This is exactly where I want to be," said quarterback Sarah Teubner.
89 athletes competed for 53 roster spots at recent tryouts in Oak Park.
"I never want to leave. This is exactly where I want to be," said quarterback Sarah Teubner.
December 7, 2025 at 8:46 PM
After a record-breaking playoff debut, the #ChicagoWinds are recruiting for Year 2.
89 athletes competed for 53 roster spots at recent tryouts in Oak Park.
"I never want to leave. This is exactly where I want to be," said quarterback Sarah Teubner.
89 athletes competed for 53 roster spots at recent tryouts in Oak Park.
"I never want to leave. This is exactly where I want to be," said quarterback Sarah Teubner.
Chicago organizers are responding with a rapid-response model that mobilizes neighbors, legal aid, and advocacy groups within hours of a raid or detention.
November 27, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Chicago organizers are responding with a rapid-response model that mobilizes neighbors, legal aid, and advocacy groups within hours of a raid or detention.
“ICE broke up my family. F— em!”
This isn’t just anger — it’s the lived reality of families torn apart by shifting immigration enforcement tactics.
This isn’t just anger — it’s the lived reality of families torn apart by shifting immigration enforcement tactics.
November 27, 2025 at 6:23 PM
“ICE broke up my family. F— em!”
This isn’t just anger — it’s the lived reality of families torn apart by shifting immigration enforcement tactics.
This isn’t just anger — it’s the lived reality of families torn apart by shifting immigration enforcement tactics.
On the West Side, the spirit of community is alive.
“Stone Temple has become an anchor for those drifting in uncertainty. Today, under Pastor Reshorna’s leadership, the church continues to serve as a reminder that the solution to displacement includes small acts of care,” writes Genesis Falls.
“Stone Temple has become an anchor for those drifting in uncertainty. Today, under Pastor Reshorna’s leadership, the church continues to serve as a reminder that the solution to displacement includes small acts of care,” writes Genesis Falls.
November 8, 2025 at 5:31 PM
On the West Side, the spirit of community is alive.
“Stone Temple has become an anchor for those drifting in uncertainty. Today, under Pastor Reshorna’s leadership, the church continues to serve as a reminder that the solution to displacement includes small acts of care,” writes Genesis Falls.
“Stone Temple has become an anchor for those drifting in uncertainty. Today, under Pastor Reshorna’s leadership, the church continues to serve as a reminder that the solution to displacement includes small acts of care,” writes Genesis Falls.
Owner Kalkidan “Kalki” Tesfaye has created more than a coffee shop; she’s built a living room for the neighborhood, where world music drifts through conversation and coffee is brewed with intention.
November 1, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Owner Kalkidan “Kalki” Tesfaye has created more than a coffee shop; she’s built a living room for the neighborhood, where world music drifts through conversation and coffee is brewed with intention.
One Google search led us to a coffee shop that feels like home.
In part one of our new series, #EatingOurWayHome, we visit #AddisCafe — a West Suburban café where Ethiopian tradition meets community turned family.
In part one of our new series, #EatingOurWayHome, we visit #AddisCafe — a West Suburban café where Ethiopian tradition meets community turned family.
November 1, 2025 at 4:17 PM
One Google search led us to a coffee shop that feels like home.
In part one of our new series, #EatingOurWayHome, we visit #AddisCafe — a West Suburban café where Ethiopian tradition meets community turned family.
In part one of our new series, #EatingOurWayHome, we visit #AddisCafe — a West Suburban café where Ethiopian tradition meets community turned family.
“Is there no possible way to finish this work faster?” said Amari M., a commuter who frequents the Austin Station.
Once construction concludes, the station would benefit all residents, regardless of mobility.
Once construction concludes, the station would benefit all residents, regardless of mobility.
October 18, 2025 at 6:50 PM
“Is there no possible way to finish this work faster?” said Amari M., a commuter who frequents the Austin Station.
Once construction concludes, the station would benefit all residents, regardless of mobility.
Once construction concludes, the station would benefit all residents, regardless of mobility.
“Is there no possible way to finish this work faster?” said Amari M., a commuter who frequents the Austin Station.
Once construction concludes, the station would benefit all residents, regardless of mobility.
Once construction concludes, the station would benefit all residents, regardless of mobility.
October 18, 2025 at 6:34 PM
“Is there no possible way to finish this work faster?” said Amari M., a commuter who frequents the Austin Station.
Once construction concludes, the station would benefit all residents, regardless of mobility.
Once construction concludes, the station would benefit all residents, regardless of mobility.
In the first of three parts, her photo essay #WeWereHere explores how Chicago’s West Side communities insist on presence and dignity in the face of displacement, revealing the persistence of life where others see only absence.
September 16, 2025 at 7:57 PM
In the first of three parts, her photo essay #WeWereHere explores how Chicago’s West Side communities insist on presence and dignity in the face of displacement, revealing the persistence of life where others see only absence.
Displacement is often described only through the absence of housing, of resources, of security.
“But when I look through the viewfinder, I see something else: the persistence of life,” writes Genesis Falls.
“But when I look through the viewfinder, I see something else: the persistence of life,” writes Genesis Falls.
September 16, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Displacement is often described only through the absence of housing, of resources, of security.
“But when I look through the viewfinder, I see something else: the persistence of life,” writes Genesis Falls.
“But when I look through the viewfinder, I see something else: the persistence of life,” writes Genesis Falls.
Kicking off on Sept 13 is our FREE 3-week media training!
Learn to decode misinformation, engage critically with media, and publish your own stories on 15West.org.
Attend all 3 sessions to qualify for paid reporting on Chicago’s West Side.
Open to anyone interested in community journalism!
Learn to decode misinformation, engage critically with media, and publish your own stories on 15West.org.
Attend all 3 sessions to qualify for paid reporting on Chicago’s West Side.
Open to anyone interested in community journalism!
September 10, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Kicking off on Sept 13 is our FREE 3-week media training!
Learn to decode misinformation, engage critically with media, and publish your own stories on 15West.org.
Attend all 3 sessions to qualify for paid reporting on Chicago’s West Side.
Open to anyone interested in community journalism!
Learn to decode misinformation, engage critically with media, and publish your own stories on 15West.org.
Attend all 3 sessions to qualify for paid reporting on Chicago’s West Side.
Open to anyone interested in community journalism!
The restaurant has a wide range of customers, from teachers and students from the neighboring school (Little Village Lawndale High School), to warehouse workers, to retired neighbors.
www.15west.org/grandma-irma...
www.15west.org/grandma-irma...
September 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The restaurant has a wide range of customers, from teachers and students from the neighboring school (Little Village Lawndale High School), to warehouse workers, to retired neighbors.
www.15west.org/grandma-irma...
www.15west.org/grandma-irma...
From selling homemade barbacoa from her kitchen to opening her own restaurant, Irma Ceballos has created a neighborhood pillar where family recipes meet unconditional hospitality.
September 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
From selling homemade barbacoa from her kitchen to opening her own restaurant, Irma Ceballos has created a neighborhood pillar where family recipes meet unconditional hospitality.
Enough time has passed—let’s talk Summer Smash.
The energy and performances from Lyrical Lemonade’s festival still linger through Chicago’s hip-hop scene.
Head here to read our reflection: www.15west.org/summer-smash...
The energy and performances from Lyrical Lemonade’s festival still linger through Chicago’s hip-hop scene.
Head here to read our reflection: www.15west.org/summer-smash...
August 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Enough time has passed—let’s talk Summer Smash.
The energy and performances from Lyrical Lemonade’s festival still linger through Chicago’s hip-hop scene.
Head here to read our reflection: www.15west.org/summer-smash...
The energy and performances from Lyrical Lemonade’s festival still linger through Chicago’s hip-hop scene.
Head here to read our reflection: www.15west.org/summer-smash...
This data-driven tool was developed with Northwestern's Buffett Institute (buffett.northwestern.edu) and a variety of community partners.
Still, environmental community activists and residents question the city's ability to support those most vulnerable to the effects of a warmer climate.
Still, environmental community activists and residents question the city's ability to support those most vulnerable to the effects of a warmer climate.
August 1, 2025 at 1:29 AM
This data-driven tool was developed with Northwestern's Buffett Institute (buffett.northwestern.edu) and a variety of community partners.
Still, environmental community activists and residents question the city's ability to support those most vulnerable to the effects of a warmer climate.
Still, environmental community activists and residents question the city's ability to support those most vulnerable to the effects of a warmer climate.
July 18, 2025 at 2:21 PM
The trust Memphis rapper Key Glock has earned from fans isn’t just about his music; it’s about his refusal to compromise his Memphis identity for mainstream acceptance.
Read our review of Glock’s Chicago tour stop: 15west.org/in-key-glock...
Read our review of Glock’s Chicago tour stop: 15west.org/in-key-glock...
June 30, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The trust Memphis rapper Key Glock has earned from fans isn’t just about his music; it’s about his refusal to compromise his Memphis identity for mainstream acceptance.
Read our review of Glock’s Chicago tour stop: 15west.org/in-key-glock...
Read our review of Glock’s Chicago tour stop: 15west.org/in-key-glock...
Get ready for #news for everyone.
Who are we? #15West is a new volunteer-supported newsroom and a fiscally sponsored project of @luckyjefferson.com dedicated to connecting people mile by mile, block by block, throughout neighborhoods west of Chicago.
Who are we? #15West is a new volunteer-supported newsroom and a fiscally sponsored project of @luckyjefferson.com dedicated to connecting people mile by mile, block by block, throughout neighborhoods west of Chicago.
June 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Get ready for #news for everyone.
Who are we? #15West is a new volunteer-supported newsroom and a fiscally sponsored project of @luckyjefferson.com dedicated to connecting people mile by mile, block by block, throughout neighborhoods west of Chicago.
Who are we? #15West is a new volunteer-supported newsroom and a fiscally sponsored project of @luckyjefferson.com dedicated to connecting people mile by mile, block by block, throughout neighborhoods west of Chicago.