News Articles

BURDEENS CHICAGO EXPANDS LEGACY WITH GRAND OPENING OF 2ND LOCATION IN LITTLE VILLAGE CHICAGO — In January, Burdeens Chicago, an iconic sports hat and apparel retailer owned by Gerry and Rolando Alvarez, celebrated the grand opening of its second location in the vibrant Little Village neighborhood. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the beloved store, building on decades of legacy in its original Pilsen location with a fresh vision ...

https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/01/28/chicagos-immigrants-are-being-targeted-by-ice-heres-what-you-can-do-to-help/ From sharing information and shopping immigrant-owned businesses to donating to nonprofits, here are seven ways Chicagoans can help immigrant communities in the city. CHICAGO – Immigrant communities in Chicago are on edge amid the Trump administration’s broad immigration crackdown during his first week in office. Over the weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched “Operation Safeguard,” with immigration agents descending on Chicago for “enhanced targeted operations” that led to more than ...

https://news.wttw.com/2025/01/30/business-owners-little-village-back-yards-say-sales-declining-amid-fears-ice-raids Latino neighborhoods in Chicago are on edge amid increased reports of immigration raids by federal law enforcement agents. The reports are sparking fear in communities like Little Village and Back of the Yards. According to the Chicago Police Department, nearly 100 people have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement; however, it remains unclear how many of those individuals had criminal records. WTTW News spoke with business owners about the impact ...

Chicago Busy Chicago district known as ‘Mexico of the Midwest’ turns into ghost town as fears of ICE raids loom Little Village, a two-miles stretch lined with nearly 500 businesses on Chicago's 26th Street, has seen massive drop in foot traffic By Bonny Chu , Danielle Wallace Fox News Published January 22, 2025 1:52pm EST Foot traffic has dropped significantly in Chicago’s predominantly Latino community, Little Village, also known as the "Mexico of the Midwest," ...

By Lawrence Wilson January 23, 2025 CHICAGO—Residents of Little Village, a predominantly Mexican neighborhood on Chicago’s southwest side, are bracing for the possibility of mass deportations of illegal immigrants in the days following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. People are anxious about what the days ahead will bring, either for themselves or for loved ones, according to local leaders who are helping all immigrants prepare for the expected operations by Immigration and ...

Full Article Immigration ‘High alert': Chicago groups try easing fears as worry grows over possible raids Neighborhood groups say they are standing in solidarity with the undocumented community by providing resources and assistance as they prepare for possible raids in Chicago. By Vi Nguyen • Published January 21, 2025 • Updated on January 21, 2025 at 6:37 pm Some people in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood are mobilizing ahead of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans. Neighborhood groups say they ...

Chicago Community Braces for Possible Deportations of Illegal Immigrants Local leaders say illegal immigrants should know their rights, cooperate within the law, and make a plan for the care of their children. CHICAGO—Residents of Little Village, a predominantly Mexican neighborhood on Chicago’s southwest side, are bracing for the possibility of mass deportations of illegal immigrants in the days following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Complete article here >>

Closures will affect residents in Chicago's predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods. 4005 W. 26th St. in Little Village is one of the 5 locations closing. CHICAGO (WLS) -- A pharmacy giant is closing five stores in Chicago. Those locations are part of more than a thousand under-performing stores being closed by Walgreens nationwide. The closures will affect residents in Chicago's predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods, where the stores are slated to ...

Burdeens Chicago Sports Apparel Shop Expands, Opening Second Shop In Little Village The shop brings exclusive Chicago and Mexican sports apparel and hats to the heart of 26th Street. Owners Gerardo and Rolando Alvarez have worked in the apparel business since they were teens. LITTLE VILLAGE — A new specialty sports hats and apparel shop is joining 26th Street’s bustling commercial corridor. Burdeens Chicago, owned by brothers Gerardo and Rolando ...

The Story of Little Village Officially part of the South Lawndale community area, the Little Village neighborhood is brimming with Mexican-American culture. Before it was known as “La Villita,” Little Village saw an influx of German, Czech, and Polish immigrants following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. At that time, many people worked in the nearby factories, and it has been a working-class community ever since. In the 1970s, Little Village started ...