Check out all the fabulous neighbors at Chicago's Birthday Party this past Wed., Mar. 4, from photo booth snapshots provided by event partner RIO Event Studios. The photos are tons of fun and illustrate our McKinley Park neighborhood's diversity. See the photos at mckinleypark.news/about/letter...
Hundreds attend Chicago's Birthday Party on March 4, 2026, at 3658 S. Honore St., Chicago.
We had a fantastic time last night at Chicago's Birthday Party, which brought hundreds together at the geographic center of the city to sing Happy Birthday to Chicago in multiple languages, enjoy performances, ceremony, food and camaraderie. Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7964-ci...
Celebrate, eat and drink (for free!) TONIGHT at Chicago's Birthday Party at 6 p.m. at 37th and Honore streets. The party includes two student rock bands, mariachi Luis Alfredo, special guests and Happy Birthday to Chicago sung in multiple languages. Get the scoop at mckinleypark.news/neighborhood...
Tired of mom music at your Lunar New Year party? So were we, so we ferreted out some great party bangers, funk, hip hop, neo soul and more in Cantonese and Mandarin. Here's a playlist with music vids so you can enjoy too. Check out music for your New Year party at mckinleypark.news/neighborhood...
Our local enterprise community has STEPPED UP to support Chicago's Birthday Party at 6 p.m. on Wed., Mar. 4, and we couldn't be more grateful! These folks power the whole show, provide food and drinks, a photo booth and cool merchandise, all for free! Join the fun! Get info at mckinleypark.org.
Chicago's Birthday Party is just around the corner on Wednesday, Mar. 4! The committee to plan and put on the big event met for one last time today at New Archview to get ready for the spectacle, performances, free food and merchandise, and tons of fun! Read more at mckinleypark.news/neighborhood...
Evergreen Academy Middle School in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood celebrated the Year of the Horse with a daylong Spring Festival STEAM fair by students, staff and CPS guests with music, challenges, cuisine and a Chinese New Year dragon dance. Read about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7951-mi...
Chicago Police announced the arrests of two teens on machine gun and other charges after a dropped gun at a McKinley Park neighborhood takeout restaurant inspired calls to 911. The cops arrived so fast, the suspects were still browsing the menu. Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7950-co...
One way the McKinley Park News connects locally is our Opinion/Editorial section, which has featured residents, elected officials, historians, comic artists, CEOs and more over the years. We welcome more Op/Ed submissions connected to McKinley Park! See info at mckinleypark.news/neighborhood...
Lorena and Jamie Sotelo run Chile Toreado, a multiple award-winning restaurant in The Best of McKinley Park.
The McKinley Park News congratulates winners of The Best of McKinley Park, our members' choice contests that pick neighborhood favorites for dining, shopping, services and community. Chile Toreado restaurant is a big winner, as are many others! Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/about/letter...
Chicago's Birthday Party at the geographic center of Chicago at 6 p.m. on Wed., Mar. 4, 2026. Info at https://mckinleypark.org
In just one week Chicago's Birthday Party will celebrate our wonderful city by singing Happy Birthday to Chicago in multiple languages the city's geographic center (37th and Honore). Join the celebration and spectacle and enjoy free live music performances, food and fun! Details at mckinleypark.org
Photo of closed car and bike lanes on the bridge at South Western Avenue in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood where it crosses over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
The deteriorating and partially shuttered South Western Avenue bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal may finally get a fix from the Chicago Department of Transportation, with a planned start for this fall after two years of delays. Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7929-we...
Great news! Mariachi Luis Alfredo is confirmed to once again perform at Chicago's Birthday Party, coming up at 6 p.m. on Wed., Mar. 4, at the geographic center of Chicago (37th and Honore). Come join the fun and celebrate the 189th anniversary of Chicago's founding! Full info at mckinleypark.org
What's the best way to get more McKinley Park residents at community police meetings? Attendees on Feb. 11 for Beat 912 pondered outreach and a new library location, plus heard crime reports from 9th District officers and Commander Joseph Mark. Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7886-ca...
Screenshot of the most recent McKinley Park News email newsletter events.
Do you want to be knowledgeable and ready for fun in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood? Get the latest news and the week's upcoming events in the McKinley Park News Neighborhood Update email newsletter, sent weekly. Sign up for free with your privacy assured at mckinleypark.news/info/email-n...
Chicago's Birthday Party poster
Chicago's Birthday Party poster in Chinese
Chicago's Birthday Party poster in Spanish
Get ready to party in less than one month at Chicago's Birthday Party, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wed., Mar. 4, at the city's geographic center at 37th and Honore streets, featuring bands, cake, refreshments and singing Happy Birthday to Chicago in multiple languages. Join and celebrate Chicago with us!
Ten new residences across five two-flats will replace vacant city lots on West 34th Street in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood thanks to the city's Missing Middle Housing Initiative, which offers developer support, including $1 lot sales. Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7861-mi...
Evergreen Academy Middle School in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood is once again designated as a School To Watch by the National Forum, a top award for the school's ongoing improvement and STEAM leadership within Chicago Public Schools. Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7859-ev...
The Aquinas Literacy Center in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood has grown its volunteer English literacy corps by six new tutors, but more help is need to clear a backlogged waiting list of English language learners for one-on-one training. Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7847-im...
Jessica Recillas, 9th District victim specialist, speaks at the January 28, 2026, council meeting alongside, from left at the table, council members Erin Vogel, Carlos Sanchez and Denise McBroom.
Latin Kings and Satan Disciples street gangs are terrorizing kids and residents in Back of the Yards and Gage Park neighborhoods: the No. 1 target of the 9th District strategic plan, which members debuted at the police council meeting on Jan. 28. Read about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7843-po...
Photo of the 2nd Annual Chicago's Birthday Party on March 4, 2025, held at the city's geographic center.
Join the McKinley Park News and co-organizers of Chicago's Birthday Party to sing Happy Birthday to Chicago in multiple languages at the city's geographic center 6-8 p.m. on March 4, 2026, in celebration of the 189th anniversary of Chicago's founding. Get details at mckinleypark.news/news/7840-ch...
The Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League has opened early registration for its 2026 season, letting families of players ages 4 to 18 sign up to save $85 for months of games, practices and events. Get info on player divisions, costs and the link to sign up at mckinleypark.news/neighborhood...
Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood was a safer place to live in 2025 than 2024 as analysis shows annual crime trending down across the Chicago Police Department's 9th District and citywide, including in Brighton Park, but Bridgeport ticks up. Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7820-an...
Heads up, McKinley Parkers! Streets and parking will close Thurs. and Fri., Jan 15-16, for Chicago PD filming once again in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood. Don't get caught in a jam or circle aimlessly for parking! Find all the traffic and parking closures at mckinleypark.news/neighborhood...
The Chicago Community Trust has awarded $200K to add public art, seating and trash cans to West 35th Street in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood via a grant received by the McKinley Park Development Council. Installation starts in summer 2026. Read about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7782-de...
The Chicago Police Department's 9th District Police Council celebrated its accomplishments in 2025 and prepared for more work in 2026 at its holiday party in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood amid falling crime rates across the district. Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7780-po...
Photo of the Torres family's winning holiday decorations as awarded by the McKinley Park Civic Association in its 2025 contest.
The best holiday decor in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood goes to the Torres family, picked as winners in the McKinley Park Civic Association's inaugural holiday decorating contest, to continue in 2026 alongside a summer gardening contest. Read all about it at mckinleypark.news/news/7779-ci...
The McKinley Park Civic Association celebrated the holiday season with dining, music, camaraderie and a raffle at the annual holiday party, held at the McKinley Park public library in December 2025. Check out the photos of the fun at mckinleypark.news/neighborhood...
The McKinley Park News wishes all a very Happy New Year and great joy and prosperity in 2026! We continue to work through adverse and distracting circumstances, but look forward to 2026: our 10th year of publishing local news for the neighborhood! Read our update at mckinleypark.news/about/letter...
Want to know when to skate at the McKinley Park ice rink? Check out the McKinley Park Hockey and Ice Skating Calendar, which lists all of the rink's Open Skate, Pond Hockey, Stick and Puck and Senior Skate sessions. Get the full schedule running through February at mckinleypark.news/events/hocke...
