Ariel Parrella

Bio

Far NW side reporter @BlockClubCHI. | past ✍🏽 @wttw @chicago_reader, @LatinoUSA, etc. | 🚲 🇮🇹 y español. tips + dog photos: [email protected]
DEC 07, 2021
Megan Mathias, candidate for 45th Ward alderman, speaks to constituents as a few dozen residents gathered outside Ald. Jim Gardiner's (45) office Sept. 13, 2021, demanding that he resign amid recent scandals.

The proposed ward map unveiled last week by a City Council committee would draw out the only declared challenger to embattled Ald. Jim Gardiner (45).

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Gardiner’s challenger would be booted from 45th Ward in City Council’s proposed remap

Megan Mathias, candidate for 45th Ward alderman, speaks to constituents as a few dozen residents ...
NOV 02, 2021
Left: Ald. Jim Gardiner Right: Local business owner James Suh poses for a portrait across the street from the Clarendale development, 4747 W. Irving Park Rd., at the Six Corners in Portage Park on Sept. 8, 2021. [Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago]

A business owner and Old Irving Park resident is suing Ald. Jim Gardiner (45) after leaked text messages showed the alderman used city resources in a revenge plot against him.

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Gardiner slapped with lawsuit after trying to get ‘revenge’ on constituent

Left: Ald. Jim Gardiner Right: Local business owner James Suh poses for a portrait across the str...
SEP 09, 2021
A rendering of plans for the old Sears site at 4730 W. Irving Park Road. [Novak Construction/MG2 Architects]

This article was first published in Block Club Chicago.

The massive Six Corners Sears development cleared a major hurdle Wednesday, overcoming disagreement about the lack of affordable units which led to one alderman pushing to halt the project.

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Six Corners Sears project nears City Council approval after surviving affordable housing debate

A rendering of plans for the old Sears site at 4730 W. Irving Park Road. [Novak Construction/MG2 ...
SEP 03, 2021

Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th) looks on during discussions surrounding the creation of a civilian commission overseeing the Chicago Police Department during a City Council meeting on July 21, 2021. [Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago]

This article was first published in Block Club Chicago.

Text messages between Ald. Jim Gardiner (45) and a former aide show the Northwest Side leader blasting his critics and political opponents — and punishing an employee for helping a constituent who voted against him.

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Ald. Jim Gardiner calls constituent and fellow alderman a ‘b-tch,’ rips his critics in leaked text messages

Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th) looks on during discussions surrounding the creation of a civilian commi...
AUG 27, 2021
Glenstar wants to build a 297-unit apartment complex at 8535 W. Higgins Rd. in the 41st Ward. [Glenstar/Chicago Plan Commission]

Despite opposition from the area’s alderman, a seven-story, 297-unit housing development near the Cumblerland CTA Blue Line station scored key approval Thursday from the city’s Plan Commission.

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Apartment complex near O’Hare gets key approval from city commission — despite aldermen’s opposition

Glenstar wants to build a 297-unit apartment complex at 8535 W. Higgins Rd. in the 41st Ward. [Gl...

Bio

Far NW side reporter @BlockClubCHI. | past ✍🏽 @wttw @chicago_reader, @LatinoUSA, etc. | 🚲 🇮🇹 y español. tips + dog photos: [email protected]