Mack Liederman

Writing stories about Chicago and the people who make it, for @BlockClubChi

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

I'm honored to be joining @Nytimes in June as a reporting fellow!

Thankful for 5 great years in Chicago, where @BlockClubCHI took a chance on me. I covered a bit of everything and found a city full of colorful people with unmatched pride for their communities. You'll be missed.

[NYTimes Communications @NYTimesPR]

We’re pleased to introduce the 2026-27 @nytimes fellowship class. https://t.co/Bo5ge7vuzi

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

My last story for Block Club is about the city's oldest bowling alley — in the basement of a Northwest Side catholic school.

Immaculate Conception's alley has survived 102 years with students as pinsetters and a Monday league still chasing a perfect game.
https://t.co/UsB6GpjgmR

[Gregory Royal Pratt @royalpratt]

Cheese Grater Guy salutes @mack_liederman at his @BlockClubCHI going away party

[Jared Rutecki @JaredRutecki]

Chicago Tonight | Week in Review: Illinois Commission Releases ‘Midway Blitz’ Report; Government Shutdown Ends, with @HeatherCherone @monicaeng @mack_liederman @JakeSheridan_ & host @ndblumberg https://t.co/hQs3gkhnV8

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

Skyway Lanes, the city's last Black-owned bowling alley, survived for a year after a viral fundraiser.

On Sunday its bowlers left with pins — and without a place to play.

Sights and sounds from Skyway's last day w/ @colinbphoto:
https://t.co/k4NpARRck7

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

Former Chicago mobster Frank Calabrese wore a wire against his father.

Now he's selling Cameos for $15 and speaking 4x a day at The Mob Museum in Las Vegas.

As the mob retreats, a few "celebrity gangsters" like Calabrese are stepping into full-time jobs:
https://t.co/1zArSbB4gI

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

I talked shop with @JacobyCochran @JustinKaufmann about Bears stadium moves, CTA security and where the Bulls go from here for @CityCastChicago
https://t.co/IridlYmQXK

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

Comedian @Tompapa on seeing the Wrigley Rat from his seats in Section 14:

“Everyone was very excited. It was like a Mickey Mouse sighting at Disney Land.”

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

Cubs on Wrigley Rat:

“As an open venue in a big city, rodent abatement is something we do year-round. We understand how important it is for our fans to have a positive experience and keeping our ballpark clean and safe is always a top priority.”
https://t.co/WkmQK7Dl4s

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

South Side icon Filbert's Root Beer is turning 100 years old.

The third-generation business started during Prohibition but dates back further to milk deliveries via horse and buggy.

Ron Filbert still bottles soda on a 1920s-era machine in McKinley Park.
https://t.co/FteoOWKuKc

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

The infamous "Puffy Coat Bandits" were caught again red-handed last week at a Downtown Cheesecake Factory.

Police now believe the theft ring has been going on for five years with at least 10 members.
https://t.co/vnaiwOuDeF

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

@_ishanidesai @nytimes @BlockClubCHI Likewise!

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

I'm honored to be joining @Nytimes in June as a reporting fellow!

Thankful for 5 great years in Chicago, where @BlockClubCHI took a chance on me. I covered a bit of everything and found a city full of colorful people with unmatched pride for their communities. You'll be missed.

[NYTimes Communications @NYTimesPR]

We’re pleased to introduce the 2026-27 @nytimes fellowship class. https://t.co/Bo5ge7vuzi

[Colin Boyle @colinbphoto]

Skyway Lanes, Chicago’s Last Black-Owned Bowling Alley, Closing After 'Surge' Of Support Fades

A sad update to a bittersweet struggle of the last year for this South Side staple.
✍️ @mack_liederman @BlockClubCHI

https://t.co/7jCfQgt22B

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

After 92 years, Erie-LaSalle Body Shop was sold to a national chain — with its iconic Chicago neon sign quietly hauled away to a restoration warehouse in DeKalb.

“We need to figure out how the goal of preservation becomes more important than profiting.”
https://t.co/IQ6h81fH0o

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

Waymo is sending cars — with drivers, for now — onto Chicago streets today for mapping and data collection.

The company needs Illinois state driving law to change before it can launch self-driving cabs.
https://t.co/PonYz7p7Pd

[Gregory Royal Pratt @royalpratt]

Warlord star chef Trevor Fleming has been sharing sexual photos of women without consent and berating staffers for years, witnesses said. It was an open secret in the industry — and it’s time for accountability, they said. Solid reporting
@ArielParrella https://t.co/zdlZtVuDeg

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

A statue of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini will replace the removed Columbus statue in Little Italy's Arrigo Park.

The city held a public vote to pick an Italian-American for the honor. Results:

Cabrini: 1,500 votes
Enrico Fermi: 648
Antonin Scalia: 597
https://t.co/DPpLKenf7o

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

Breaking: Mayor Brandon Johnson uses second veto of his term to block city ban on intoxicating hemp products.
https://t.co/2Neb7GWZhy

[Mack Liederman @mack_liederman]

From Jan 2023-Oct 2025, Black drivers received 30k+ traffic tickets across Chicago — 21k+ more than white drivers.

Data crunch w/ @BauerJournalism shows Black drivers were over-ticketed 6x their population share in some majority white North Side areas.
https://t.co/3PZAGYaaHF

[Block Club Chicago @BlockClubCHI]

Facebook removed Chicago’s most popular ICE sighting page. Now, its founder is suing. https://t.co/jwDN2UDCHP