15 West (Page 1)

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Cody Norman Imagines a Future for Plastic — A woman with Plasticus canistraria, 2023. | NaBeela Washington/15 West

Art

Cody Norman Imagines a Future for Plastic

At Garfield Park Conservatory, artist Cody Norman uses coral-like sculptures and plastic to explore how communities might adapt to a material that isn’t going away.

By NaBeela Washington • 6 min read

One Austin Mom Couldn't Find Support for Her Autistic Son. So She's Building It. — Asia Bee and Darrin painting together. | NaBeela Washington/15 West

Accessibility

One Austin Mom Couldn't Find Support for Her Autistic Son. So She's Building It.

Asia Bee spent years navigating a system that offered Black families like hers little more than a diagnosis. Now she's creating the community she never had through Darrin’s Voice, one Saturday at a time.

By NaBeela Washington • 5 min read

Little Village mural honors lives lost to cancer — The “En Memoria A Las Víctimas De Cáncer” mural at Drake Avenue and 26th Street in Little Village on April 30, 2026, honors community members lost to cancer. | Araceli Ramirez/15 West

Little Village

Little Village mural honors lives lost to cancer

After losing several family members to cancer, Dolores Castañeda created a mural at 26th Street and Drake Avenue. Over 50 names honor residents lost to cancer and encourage early screenings.

By Araceli Ramirez • 4 min read

Inside the Continental Pageant’s Legacy of Glamour and Resistance — Provided by Dan Neniskis and Angelise.

LGBTQIA+

Inside the Continental Pageant’s Legacy of Glamour and Resistance

An inside look at the Continental Pageant, which has evolved into an international platform celebrating artistry, advocacy, and resilience within the LGBTQIA+ community.

By Alondra Carmona • 4 min read

Organizers Work to Expand Disability Access on Chicago’s West Side — Illustration: Eleni Chapas/15 West

Accessibility

Organizers Work to Expand Disability Access on Chicago’s West Side

After a new city report highlighted stark neighborhood inequities for Chicagoans with disabilities, local advocates say the work to make the city more accessible is far from finished.

By Lauren Neher • 5 min read

Chicago never stopped policing “immoral” women — Illustration: Rae Rae Villarreal/15 West

Sex Work

Chicago never stopped policing “immoral” women

A 2018 loitering law allows police to act on perceived intent, echoing Chicago’s early anti-vice crackdowns.

By Aïcha Camara • 5 min read

Oak Park residents question wording of indoor pool referendum — Illustration: Rae Rae Villarreal/15 West

Oak Park

Oak Park residents question wording of indoor pool referendum

Ballot measure asks voters to approve $40 million in bonds, but does not mention that the Ridgeland Common outdoor pool would be replaced.

By Georgia Rau • 5 min read

How Ojala Foundation Is Building What Chicago's Latino Muslim Community Never Had — Community members take turns at a piñata during Ojala's Eid celebration. | Provided by Jordan Esparza-Kelley

Faith

How Ojala Foundation Is Building What Chicago's Latino Muslim Community Never Had

What happens when a Latino Muslim community decides to build its own home and leaves the door open for others in the process.

By Sumaiyya Siddiqi • 4 min read

Pilsen Has Lived Through One Bad Demolition. Residents Are Fighting to Make Sure Fisk Is Different. — P.E.R.R.O. members rally outside City Hall. | Provided by Zitlalli Paez

Environment

Pilsen Has Lived Through One Bad Demolition. Residents Are Fighting to Make Sure Fisk Is Different.

Residents say the Fisk site is full of heavy metals and coal ash that haven't been properly tested. They halted the demolition once. Now they're fighting to make sure it stays halted until the city does it right.

By Liana Ordoñez • 7 min read

In the first live-streamed genocide, Chicago challenges media narratives on Gaza — A visitor observes photographic works depicting scenes from daily life, waterfront moments, and groups of people, contemplating the human stories captured within the frames. | Provided by Bobby Vanecko

Gaza

In the first live-streamed genocide, Chicago challenges media narratives on Gaza

Local artists, educators, and journalists are using exhibitions, research, and storytelling to counter what they see as dehumanizing coverage of Palestinians.

By Caroline Keane • 5 min read

From Vacant Lots to Gardens of Resistance — Illustration: Alex Kraus/15 West

Environment

From Vacant Lots to Gardens of Resistance

Communities across Chicago and its suburbs are joining cities nationwide in rewriting the narrative around food access and green space. Residents are turning abandoned lots into vibrant spaces for growing food, building community, and practicing resistance.

By Liana Ordoñez • 4 min read

Candlelight Vigil Reunites All Fred Hampton and Mark Clark Survivors After 56 Years — Two chairs in remembrance of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark. | NaBeela Washington/15 West

History

Candlelight Vigil Reunites All Fred Hampton and Mark Clark Survivors After 56 Years

Survivors of the 1969 raid, former Black Panthers, residents, and community organizers gathered at the site of the assassination to honor how the Black Panthers' revolutionary work continues today, amid opposition over who has the right to tell their story.

By NaBeela Washington • 5 min read