💻 From Under the El
How about False Spring Round 2, huh? I hope all of y’all were outside yesterday enjoying the warm sunshine. It makes it feel like winter is finally coming to an end — even through the fog of post-Daylight Saving sleepiness. Before we all take our much-needed afternoon nap, let’s check out some good news.
⏰ tl;dr
A long-abandoned Riverdale church where the first American pope once worshipped as a child might be saved and turned into a community pilgrimage site
A new rule dramatically expands Illinois ABLE savings accounts, allowing thousands more residents with disabilities to save money without losing benefits
Wild & Scenic Film Festival brings an evening of powerful environmental storytelling to Evanston this week
🌻 What’s Going Right In Chicago Today
Image credit: Niko / Google Maps
⛪ A forgotten Riverdale church could become a pilgrimage site
A historic church tied to the first American pope may be saved and reopened for the community.
When Joe Hall bought a long-abandoned church in Riverdale, he expected a renovation project, not international attention. The building, St. Mary of the Assumption, hasn’t hosted Mass since 2011. Time has left its mark: Parts of the roof are open to the sky and vines creep through the stone. But inside, the stained glass windows remain intact, casting color across pews that have been empty for more than a decade.
It’s still surreal to me. To know that an actual Pope walked through these hallways and these classrooms is amazing. This is my opportunity to give back to what was poured into me a long time ago.”
Recently, the church landed on Preservation Chicago’s “Chicago Seven” list of the city’s most endangered historic buildings, which brought a new wave of attention. The reason: The church and its adjacent school are where Pope Leo XIV attended school and worshipped as a child.
Hall hopes to restore the church as a small place of worship where community members could gather for prayer, intimate events, and potentially pilgrimage visits. His dream scenario is to one day welcome the Pope back to the place where his story began.
💰 Illinois expands ABLE savings accounts, opening door for thousands of families
Nearly 250,000 additional Illinois residents with disabilities can now save money without risking their federal benefits.
For years, many people with disabilities faced an impossible financial rule: Saving more than $2,000 could mean losing critical benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income. ABLE accounts were created to solve that problem, allowing people to save money tax-free for disability-related expenses. But the program had a major limitation: Only people whose disability began before age 26 could qualify.
That just changed. A new rule announced by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs raises the eligibility age to 46, nearly doubling the number of Illinois residents who can use the program.
“I think this is a game changer for a lot of people. This created a lot of anxiety for families who were preparing. There’s a lot of fear for people who wanted to go out and work. What would happen if my paycheck put me over that threshold? Well, ABLE is the answer."
ABLE accounts work similarly to certain college savings plans; friends and family can contribute money that grows tax-free and can be used for housing, transportation, education, assistive technology, and other disability-related expenses. Up to $100,000 can be saved without affecting federal benefits.
🏪 Little Village is turning empty storefronts into pop-up businesses
A new program will help entrepreneurs test business ideas and bring new energy to the 26th Street and Cermak commercial corridors.
If you’ve ever walked down 26th Street in Little Village, you know it’s one of the most vibrant commercial strips in the city. And now, the neighborhood is getting a program designed to make it even more of a destination.
The South Lawndale Small Business Storefront Activation Program will recruit local entrepreneurs to launch pop-up businesses in vacant storefronts, giving them a low-risk way to test their ideas before committing to a long-term lease.
“Recently, certain neighborhoods have seen more doors closed than doors opened. This program changes that by investing directly in the heartbeat of Chicago: our small business owners. By removing the traditional barriers to entry for new businesses, we are rapidly revitalizing our streets, increasing foot traffic, and inviting residents back to their local high streets to support local businesses.”
The program will be run by the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, working alongside the nonprofit Latinos Progresando. Entrepreneurs will receive hands-on support including marketing help, financial planning, and coaching through the Chamber’s De la Mano business assistance program.
🗓️ Eye On the Chi
Homebuyer University
Join a free multi-session class that walks first-time buyers through the entire path to homeownership.
When: March 12-April 2
Where: Various sessions
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
An evening of powerful short films about nature, conservation, and the outdoors.
When: March 13, 7 p.m.
Where: One Rotary Center, Evanston
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Till next time,
Good News, Chicago
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