Jon Hansen, host and executive producer of the Block Club Chicago Podcast, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Jon has details on:

South Side Birth Center Breaks Ground, Bringing Equitable Maternal Health Care To Area: The center is expected to assist in about 225 births annually while offering reproductive, preventive and gender-affirming care. It has a planned opening in early 2027.

Logan Square Farmers Market Moving To ‘Forever Home’ At Redesigned Traffic Circle Plaza: Chamber officials are hosting a dry run of the hugely popular market Sunday to work out kinks in the new space before it returns in full force.

Silver Room Block Party Set To Return July 18 At The Salt Shed: The festival will move from the South Side, where it was held from 2015 through its last iteration in 2023. General admission tickets are $95 and go on sale April 17.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

Cindy Pearlman Gaber, senior writer for the New York Times and entertainment columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, joins Bob Sirott to talk about the weekend box office numbers, highlights from Coachella, and a new season of “Emily in Paris.” She also shares details about the return of “The Silence of the Lambs,” another season of “MasterChef,” and new material from the Rolling Stones.

WTTW’s Geoffrey Baer joins Bob Sirott to talk about his new special “Riding The Rails” on WTTW that focuses on the rich history of trains in the Chicagoland area. He discusses his love of trains, history if the Chicago “L” System, and the more unusual food served on the dining cars.

Interview with Dave Plier:

On April 13th, 2026, Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers:

Contributing editor at Chicago magazine Robert Reed joins Bob Sirott to discuss whether or not Portillo’s can still become a successful national brand and their plans to open eight more restaurants. He also talk about some of the new Portillo’s Pick Up locations and how their Chicagoland locations are doing financially.

Marianne Murciano, Bob Sirott’s wife and founder of Savvy-Planet, joins Bob to talk about the things people typically forget to clean on a regular basis, including their toothbrush, water bottle, and light switches.

Marianne joins Bob for a weekly segment Fridays following the 8:30 am newscast. For more savvy tips, go to Savvy-Planet.Com. Share your own savvy tip: [email protected]. Follow Marianne on Twitter (@marimur), Instagram (@havanagirl), and on Facebook (SirottAndMurciano).

Freelance food writer Lisa Shames joins Bob Sirott to talk about the rising popularity of communal dining and people’s personal experiences of dining with strangers. She also shares which restaurants provide this option and a Chicago chef who hosts communal dinners once a month.

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on:

‘Puffy Coat Bandits’ Part Of Crime Ring That’s Targeted Downtown Diners For Years, Police Say: After gaining infamy in 2023 for a spree of thefts at North Side restaurants, the pickpockets were caught again at a Downtown Cheesecake Factory. Police believe their crime ring includes at least 10 members.

Chicago’s 1st Pita Inn Coming To Six Corners This Winter: The family-owned Middle Eastern restaurant beloved in the suburbs is part of the redevelopment of the former Sears Auto Center on Cicero Avenue.

Will Changes To ‘Insane’ Summer Camp Registration Process Make It Easier To Sign Up Your Kids?: The first phase of a new Park District initiative includes a map feature and “high demand” icons. Two webinars are scheduled for Tuesday to help parents prepare for registration on April 19 and 20.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

Cindy Pearlman Gaber, senior writer for the New York Times and entertainment columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, joins Bob Sirott to talk about movies to watch this weekend, this year’s Coachella lineup, and the host of the next Tony Awards ceremony. Choose Chicago’s director of corporate communications Isaac Reichman also joins Bob to discuss things to do this weekend, like EXPO CHICAGO, Dozin’ with the Dinos at the Field Museum, and ART on THE MART.

On April 10th, 2026, Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: