Category: Local News

El Centro Cultural Latino Internacional de Chicago (ILCC), en colaboración con Levitt Family Foundation, se enorgullece en anunciar el regreso de la Serie de Música de Chicago Levitt VIBE – una gran celebración de 10 semanas de música y cultura latinas que transforma Fullerton Ave. —en el barrio Belmont-Cragin de Chicago— en uno de los destinos veraniegos más vibrantes de la ciudad. Comenzando el sábado, 13 de junio y siguiendo cada sábado hasta el 22 de agosto (excepto el 4 de julio) de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. la serie es completamente gratis y abierta al público. Familias, vecinos y amantes de la música de todas las edades y procedencia están invitados a reunirse en el césped abierto del parque y experimentar actuaciones de clase mundial, que recorren toda la gama del universo de la música latina – desde el vallenato colombiano y el tambor venezolano a la música jíbara puertorriqueña, el flamenco de España, la guaracha afrocubana, la banda mexicana y más. Para un programa completo de la música o para información en general, visite www.latinoculturalcenter.org.

Crédito Fotográfico: International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago

La Oficina de la Secretaria de la Corte del Circuito del Condado de Cook está advirtiendo a los residentes sobre una noticia fraudulenta falsamente presentada como una comunicación oficial de la corte que involucra multas de tráfico no pagadas. El falso documento está diseñado para verse como una notificación de corte y pide a los recipientes que paguen a través de una red fraudulenta dentro de 12 horas y amenaza con expedir una orden de arresto y revocar inmediatamente la licencia de conducir de un recipiente. Esta no es una notificación legítima de la Corte del Circuito del Condado de Cook ni de la Oficina de la Secretaria. Los residentes no deben enviar ningún pago a través de ningún enlace no solicitado y no deben compartir información personal ni financiera en respuesta a esta notificación. La Oficina de la Secretaria recuerda al público que los canales oficiales de la corte, incluyendo el sitio web de la Corte del Circuito del Condado de Cook los puede encontrar en cookcountyclerkofcourt.org o contactando directamente la Oficina de la Secretaria llamando al Centro de Llamadas de Servicio al Consumidor, al 312-603-5030. A cualquiera que reciba una de estas notificaciones fraudulentas se le aconseja que lo reporte a las fuerzas del orden locales y a la Línea Directa de Fraude al Consumidos del Procurador General: 1-800-386-5438.

Unase al Museo Nacional de Arte Mexicano en Harrison Park en el Festival del Niño. Esta celebración es en honor al Día del Niño, una fiesta de primavera en México que honra la importancia de la felicidad y el bienestar de los niños. El Festival del Niño tendrá lugar el sábado, 6 de junio, de 11:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. en Harrison Park, 1852 W. 19th St. Un día de juego, alegría y risas, con actividades artísticas, recursos de bienestar, juegos, galerías abiertas y más, le espera a cada familia. Pase por las siguientes organizaciones para útiles recursos:

• Información de salud y bienestar de UI Health

• Apoyo en salud mental de Pilsen Wellness Center

• Oportunidades para empoderamiento académico, profesional y personal para jóvenes de 16 a 24 años con The Alliance 98

Para más información, visite www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

Crédito Fotográfico: Museo Nacional de Arte Mexicano

Sueños Music Festival returns to Chicago’s Grant Park for its fifth year on May 23rd and 24th. Featuring headliners Fuerza Regida, J Balvin, Kali Uchis, and Los Tucanes De Tijuana, Sueños Music Festival is Chicago’s premier Latin music festival showcasing artists from across Latin America spanning all musical genres from reggaetón, música Mexicana, reggaetón Mexa, Latin EDM, and even symphonic performances. Passes are still available, although limited. Head over to suenosmusicfestival.com to purchase tickets or for general information.

Photo Credit: Sueños Music Festival

Navy Pier will deliver its most expansive and dynamic summer season to date in 2026, marking the largest slate of free Pier-produced programming in its history. Navy Pier’s 2026 season features a wide-ranging mix of performances, festivals, and ongoing activations across the Pier, reflecting both the scale and diversity of this year’s offerings. New to this season include:

• The Lake Stage Concert Series is complemented by Summer Sundays, a brand new concept where guests can expect relaxing afternoons with musical performances, interactive workshops, games and other activities for all ages, and the return of Summer Block Parties, where attendees can experience a classic Chicago Block Party with arts and crafts, video games, movement workshops, and family-friendly activities.

• Adding to the mix is Summer Skate at the Pier in the former Crystal Gardens, open daily beginning June 18. Designed as a high-energy, music-forward destination, the roller rink transforms the space into an immersive experience featuring daytime skating, themed skate nights with live DJs, and arcade-style elements that create a lively, social atmosphere and adds a new dimension to the Pier’s summer experience. Tickets for skate sessions will go on sale at a later date.

For a complete list of summer activities, visit www.navypier.org

In May, The Morton Arboretum is teeing up again for a summertime experience—mini golf. Wonder Woods Mini Golf will run from May 22 through Sept. 7. The one-of-a-kind course includes imaginative, tree-themed features specially created by the Arboretum’s in-house exhibitions and design teams in collaboration with its science and conservation staff. From giant mushrooms to larger-than-life bugs and acorns, visitors can experience tree science in fun and unexpected ways. Scientific concepts include learning how tree rings can tell the life story of a tree to understanding how sound has the power to detect decay. The nine-hole pop-up course was custom-designed with accessibility in mind and can be enjoyed by players ages 4 and up. Wonder Woods Mini Golf tickets must be purchased in addition to Arboretum general admission. For tickets and more information, visit mortonarb.org.

Photo Credit: Morton Arboretum

The City of Chicago will commemorate Memorial Day on Saturday, May 23, with a wreath laying ceremony at 11 a.m. at Richard J. Daley Center Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., followed by the annual Memorial Day Parade at noon along Dearborn Street. The ceremony will be emceed by Master Sergeant, Adam Shaw, U.S. Army (retired), and will honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. This year’s Grand Marshal and keynote speaker is Sergeant Major Janet Sandoval, United States Marine Corps, a Chicago native and graduate of Lane Tech High School whose decorated military career spans more than 20 years. The parade will step off at noon, proceeding along Dearborn Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street. The parade will feature veterans’ groups, active-duty service members, JROTC cadets, community organizations and marching bands, all honoring fallen service members and celebrating the strength and diversity of the Chicago community.  For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE

Photo Credit: Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

By: Ashmar Mandou

Nestled in the heart of the Bridgeview community, Mama Luigi’s Restaurant has been serving up authentic Italian cuisine for 78 years, which General Manager Dominic Talerico attributes much of their success to good quality ingredients, family recipes, attentive staff members, and a great atmosphere. “We believe what has kept Mama Luigi’s Restaurant open for all of these years, what has kept our legacy ongoing is because of the high standard we hold when it comes to serving our customers. We treat our customers like family because they are family, and we don’t make any changes to the recipes. We keep it true to the recipes my grandparents created when they first opened the restaurant.”

Mama Luigi’s is a family-owned restaurant that opened in 1948 by Italian immigrants Lewis and his wife Evelyn Talerico. “My dad, who is the youngest of five siblings took over the family business, and now, I, being the youngest of five of my siblings have taken over the restaurant…it’s an interesting tradition [laughs], but I love it. From all the stories my dad has shared to my own experience, I love that we are able to be a part of our customer’s lives in an intimate way. No matter the occasion, the minute our customers walk through our doors they know they are going to receive high-quality customer service,” said Talerico. Among the many delicious recipes, Talerico shared that for first time customers the lasagna is always a big hit. Mama Luigi’s also offers up savory dishes like Stuffed Eggplant, Pork Chop Dominic, Mamas “Sunday Gravy,” and the Chicken Alfredo among others. “There is something for everyone and our attention to ensuring we are serving up quality ingredients is our top priority,” said Talerico.

Not only does Mama Luigi’s Restaurant provide a fine dining experience, they also have a bar and gaming area, and host showers, corporate/group events, and have hosted generations of family weddings in their large banquet room. Mama Luigi’s, 7500 S. Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL, is open seven days a week.   Their hours are Monday through Thursday, from Noon to 9p.m., Friday and Saturday from Noon to 10p.m., and Sunday from noon-9 p.m. For more information, their menu, their banquet spaces, call 708-496-0900 or visit their website at mamaluigis.com, or check them out on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Mama Luigi’s Restaurant

By: Ashmar Mandou

Everyone knows that Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off to summer. While high-profile events, such as Lollapalooza, Windy City Smokeout, Printers Row Lit Fest, and the Chicago House Music Festival are on the radar for many Chicagoans, Deputy Director for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the Illinois Office of Tourism Catie Sheehan is encouraging people to venture out to smaller towns to discover the uniqueness and charm of lesser known events. “There is so much to see and do across the State of Illinois. And while Chicago does have many beautiful attractions we want residents to see that there is also so much beauty just outside the City lines. So many fun street fairs that are family-friendly that we hope travelers get to experience and realize that there is so much fun to be had across the State of Illinois,” said Sheehan. Sheehan spoke to Lawndale News about what she considers to be an underrated gem.

Lawndale News: Memorial Day weekend is widely considered the “unofficial kick-off to summer.” How much fun is had at the Illinois Office of Tourism while curating a go-to list of events?
Catie Sheehan: It is so fun just in general to have a job where we are telling people, kind of how to enjoy their free time and all the different ideas and attractions that are available right here in the State of Illinois. So, it’s such a pleasure to be able to do that and to have a wide variety of events. So see creative people across the state take steps to organize these events. We know that it’s no small task, so it’s really awesome.

LN: Are there areas in Illinois that you, personally feel are underrated?
CS: In general, I feel like Southern Illinois is an underrated gem…maybe to Chicagoans because it’s a far drive, but it’s worth it. It feels, to me, like Southern Illinois has so much beauty with Shawnee National Forest. There are some real beautiful attractions within the forest and then you can do hiking, rock climbing, you can see beautiful waterfalls. There’s a lot of things in Southern Illinois where people see pictures of and think, ‘Is that Colorado,’ or ‘Is that Utah,’ but it’s Southern Illinois. It’s a beautiful place to “touch grass,” as they say and to get out and enjoy nature. But there’s also a lot of locally-owned restaurants, attractions that people put a lot of effort into to make sure people have a nice stay.

LN: Illinois is celebrating a big milestone. What events are planned in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Route 66?
CS: Yes! Pretty much every city along Route 66 in Illinois, from Chicago to Joliet to Bloomington to Springfield, will be celebrating with planned events throughout the year; kicking off most of those events this summer. Festivals that are different from each other, just celebrating the communities and celebrating Route 66 as a whole. For example, in Springfield there’s the Mother Road Festival where visitors can enjoy looking at classic cars and live music. In Lincoln, they are unveiling a Route 66 statue, which will be a giant copper penny to highlight the centennial in mid-June. So that gives people a reason to stop and check it out. Especially now that the penny is out of circulation…this statue will be bigger and better than ever [laughs].

LN: How would you encourage people to be a tourist in their own city and state?
CS: There’s so much out there. Pay attention to what’s new because there are so many cool things that are coming out, like the Obama Presidential Center coming to Chicago this summer. There are so many new things and events that are attractions for people all over the world, so put that into prospective. People may be traveling international to come see some of this stuff and it is right here in your backyard. So you might as well get out and see it. It also helps to support our local communities. Tourism is super important.

A few summer festival the Illinois Office of Tourism highlights include the Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival, August 22nd to 23rd, the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival (Bloomington) May 2nd and 3rd where the event marks the iconic Route 66’s 100th anniversary with tours, exhibits and local stops that stretch along the historic route, the Dragon’s Fire Balloon Fest (Perkins) June 26th and 27th, featuring plenty of hot air balloons and live entertainment, and the MSC Superman Celebration (Metropolis) June 12th through 14th where Superman fans can rejoice and cosplay. For a full list of itineraries, or for help in planning your next adventure, head over to www.enjoyillinois.com

Photo Credit: Illinois Office of Tourism

Chicago’s longest-running comic and pop culture convention, FAN EXPO Chicago added more major names to its roster for this year’s show, running August 14 – 16, 2026 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont with the announcement of THE BOYS cast members Erin Moriarty, Colbie Minifie, Valorie Curry, Karen Fukuhara, and Laz Alonso joining previously announced star Karl Urban. Amazon Prime’s darkly satirical THE BOYS brings us to a world where superheroes (“Supes”) are corporate-manufactured celebrities owned by the sinister Vought International, with most of them being corrupt, narcissistic, or outright dangerous behind their polished public images. FAN EXPO Chicago runs August 14 – 16, 2026 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Show hours are Friday 4 – 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. More information and updates can be found at fanexpochicago.com.

Photo Credit: Fan Expo Chicago