Southport Corridor Chicago

Betting site next to Wrigley Field approved

The Gensler-designed addition could include new food and beverage options and an on-site DraftKings

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks unanimously voted Thursday to approve the Cubs‘ plans to build a two-story sportsbook adjacent to Wrigley Field.

A planned sportsbook outside Wrigley Field will be accessible to fans attending Cubs games or other walk-up bettors. Courtesy Gensler

The addition will take at least a year to build, sources told ESPN. It will be open to the public before, during and after games, and while fans will be able to enter Wrigley Field from inside the sportsbook, they won’t be required to be attending the game to make bets inside.

Lincoln Hall and Schubas requiring full vaccination for all events

Full vaccination is now required +14 days will now be required for all events

Lincoln Hall and Schubas announced today you must be fully vaccinated to attend an event.

Market Days offering rapid Covid Testing, Vaccinations

Rapid COVID-19 testing will be available at festival gates, and people who are unvaccinated can get a Moderna shot at the fest.

From Block Club Chicago, people can get tested for and vaccinated against coronavirus this weekend at the Northalsted Market Days.

Market Days is partnering with Northshore Clinical Labs and Special Events Management to offer free coronavirus tests ahead of the festival and at its entrance gates, according to a statement. There also will be a vaccination booth inside the fest, which runs Friday-Sunday in Lakeview’s Northalsted neighborhood.

Cubs unveil plans for Wrigley Field DraftKings Addition

Cubs going before the Commission on Chicago Landmarks today with plans for a two-story addition to Wrigley Field, which would house the team’s sportsbook. First look at new renderings here:

The Chicago Cubs are seeking city approval to build a two-story addition to Wrigley Field that would house one of the first betting operations at a major U.S. pro sports venue, a move that comes as a City Council committee sits on a proposed ordinance to allow it.

The team is slated to go before the Commission on Chicago Landmarks today to present its plans for a 22,350-square-foot structure that would be developed along the southeast corner of the stadium at Sheffield Avenue and Addison Street, team plans show.

It’s a key step toward building the future DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field—part of a sponsorship deal the team struck last year with Boston-based DraftKings—and stands to make gambling an integral part of game day at the Friendly Confines.

Illinois school mask mandate to take effect immediately in K-12 schools, daycares, Pritzker says

The decision is being praised by school mask advocates, and criticized by those favoring choice.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced a statewide school mask mandate Wednesday afternoon as the delta variant spreads in Illinois. It will apply to all K-12 schools and daycares, both public and private.

Pritzker made the announcement after watching key COVID indicators going up – and after seeing so many school districts across the state deciding to make masking optional.

2022 Chicago Cubs Schedule

From The Chicago Cubs and MLB:

Major League Baseball and the Chicago Cubs today announced the tentative 2022 regular season schedule. The Cubs will open their 147th season at the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, March 31, with the Wrigley Field opener taking place Monday, April 4, against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cubs will open their 147th season Thursday, March 31.

Watch: CTA Moves 1,000-Ton Historic Building 30 Feet

If you thought your last move was a hassle, CTA has got you beat: The agency just relocated an entire building.

For 127 years, the Vautravers Building stood at 947 W. Newport Ave. in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. It now sits roughly 30 feet to the west and 10 feet to the south after a two-day herculean effort this week to slide the 1,000-ton structure out of the way of the CTA Red and Purple Line tracks.

Here is what is coming to 3347-49 N. Southport Avenue

It’s been close to a year since this abandoned building has been torn down for a new Transit-Oriented Development.

Two years ago, proposed plans came out on a new TOD development replacing an abandoned building at 3347-49 N. Southport. The original proposal was not received too well by the community, and the developer came back with a new plan, going from 6 floors down to 5 back in November, 2019.

Uncommon Ground requiring proof of vaccination or mask up

Starting August 3, Uncommon Ground announced via Facebook proof of vaccination or required masks. A number of local businesses are starting the vaccination trend including SoulCycle, Sidetrack, DS Tequila and The Metro.

The Metro requiring COVID-19 vaccinations to attend concerts

Iconic North Side concert venue the Metro is requiring concertgoers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

In a tweet Tuesday, the venue made the announcement by stating it’s “acting in the best interest of our most vulnerable communities.”

The venue just held a series of Lollapalooza aftershows, where they recommended masks due to Cook County being in an area of “substantial COVID-19 transmission,” as defined by the CDC.

Metro said that a current negative COVID-19 test will be sufficient for entry. They said the policies are subject to change based on city and state guidelines.

The venue’s next show is scheduled for Friday. Riot Fest headliner Taking Back Sunday will be playing an aftershow at Metro on Sept. 19.

Want to dine in restaurants and bars in North Halsted like DS Tequila and Sidetrack? Get vaccinated.

The city is working on a way for people to digitally prove their vaccination status.

If you want to dine in restaurants and bars in North Halsted like DS Tequila and Sidetrack, you better have proof of COVID vaccination, as it’s now required to get in.

More and more restaurants and nightclubs around Chicago area making that move as COVID cases once again surge, driven by the spread of the delta variant, especially in unvaccinated populations.