SubXNews Street Reports from July 25, 2025
The mattress store is gone. The bank is gone. The people are gone.
And yet the police are still everywhere—guarding shuttered corridors, breaking up gang funerals, detaining parolees they can’t process.
[Photo: Mattress store shuttered in one of Chicago’s wealthier residential corridors—because even sleep is unaffordable now. 2112 N. Clybourn · 11:20 PM · July 25, 2025]
On July 25, 2025, the contradiction of Chicago’s collapse was on full display: a city that pours resources into law enforcement while bleeding out in every other direction.
Economic Decline in Gentrified Zones
No Mattress for you… 2112 N. Clybourn, a once-thriving mattress anchor store—gone. A big-box vacancy in what should be a premium zone near Goose Island.
Everyone needs a mattress.
You can’t Amazon that.
And yet, here it sits: lights off, locked doors, another symptom of an economy that’s shut down on every level.
Just blocks away, a closed bank and abandoned retail strip complete the picture. Even the gentrifiers ran out of cash.
Eddie Ristau, replying to the report, put it bluntly:
“Before yuppies moved into a lot of areas, you had quite a bit of regular, blue-collar no-nonsense types who lived in these areas …
You get a new class of folks moving in or buying up homes & apartments, overcharge, try to ‘sanitize’ the area & its middle-class image, and then things get into utopia fluff. This is where the bad guys now know where to target because of naivete.”
Even Goose Island Brewing pulled out. The area is dead. The report replied to a viewer’s nostalgia: “That place had been around since way before Cabrini. Now it’s just another boarded-up shell.”
Earlier that evening, the video feed from Franklin and Kinzie at 5:12 PM captured something unthinkable just a decade ago: silence. Streets empty, sidewalks barren.
Once the packed artery for the post-Merch Mart workforce, Franklin now looked like a movie set cleared for an apocalypse.
You don’t need a PhD from UChicago to know what this means.
This is collapse.
Crime Persists Amid the Decay
But even as commerce flatlined, crime didn’t clock out. At 3:44 PM, an 18-year-old was shot in the thigh at 9000 S. University—critical condition. An hour later, 1400 S. Kedvale, another shooting, this time in the leg. A 6-year-old boy was shot in the buttocks at 3640 W. 59th just after 11 PM.
Earlier in the day, State and Chicago was the scene of a person down with a plastic bag—possibly dead or overdosed. Meanwhile, on the CTA Blue Line, a woman high on heroin nodded off with her toddler.
At Ashland and Ogden, protesters vandalized a car while police scrambled for control. A carjacking coded as a robbery unfolded at Garfield and Morgan.
A man with a knife robbed Mariscos at 4569 N. Elston, and at Madison and Canal, a person suffering a mental episode stood dangerously on the rail bridge.
Then came the freight train theft at South Chicago & Jeffery. Police called in the helicopter.
That’s right—we’re still spending money on air support while banks shut their doors and bus stops double as housing for the homeless.
And at Garfield and Morgan, a carjacking was coded as a robbery. A man named Juan gave a ride to someone who pulled a gun, stole his red Dodge Durango and phone, and left him waiting in shock near an elementary school.
By the end of the night, the car was found at 104th and State. The excuse?
“Not a carjacking,” police said—just a robbery.
Welcome to the bureaucratic spin zone.
Policing Over Prevention
The most telling visual? A weird, expensive fence built under the Kennedy Expressway at Webster—presumably to keep out the homeless. But they’re still there.
They didn’t fix the problem.
They just spent a bunch of money.
No shelter, no plan, just more fencing—and a few rocks falling off the overpass for good measure.
Back at Cabrini Green, streets were shut down for a gang funeral. The row houses—what’s left of them—were fenced off while new townhomes rose behind them.
How many former Cabrini residents live in those new buildings?
Probably none.
At Marshall Field Garden Apartments, cops stood watch, not social workers. “What happened to the treatment?”
No answer. Just squad cars and sirens.
Urban Decay and Broader Failures
Two different urban exploration moments documented what the city refuses to admit: the decay isn’t confined to the South or West Sides. At Fullerton and Ashland, at 6:59 PM, the report documented a trek through drop-offs, sticker bushes, and graffiti-tagged ruins.
Then at 10:44 PM, a drive onto the radioactive grounds of the old Finkl Steel site.
They smelted steel here.
Now it’s just dangerous holes and stories.
One viewer added: “My dad worked there 30 years. That ground is radioactive.”
And to cap it all off, authorities announced in the afternoon that three suspects had been charged in the armed kidnapping of a 2-year-old girl days earlier—taken from her home in a South Side invasion. Charges include aggravated armed kidnapping, home invasion, and child abduction.
This is Brandon Johnson’s Chicago: boarded businesses, collapsing infrastructure, cops everywhere, but no real services.
CTA is overrun. The economy’s hollowed out.
And city government?
Still fencing off its failures one weird project at a time.
Community Resilience Amid the Chaos
Even so, the vibes rolled on. Wicker Park Fest and Taste of Lincoln Avenue pushed forward with live music, crowded restaurants, and novelty robots.
The party goes on, at least for now.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue continues through the weekend at Fullerton and Lincoln, showcasing local bands and legacy blues culture.
Wicker Park Fest runs all week along Milwaukee Avenue—packed with vendors, performances.
Come down if you dare. Just don’t leave your car unlocked… HiHo.
http://SubX.News® on-the-spot reporting
Sources for Report
Photo: Mattress store shuttered in one of Chicago’s wealthiest retail corridors—because even sleep’s unaffordable now. 2112 N. Clybourn · 11:20 PM · July 25, 2025
July 25, 2025 SubXNews Street Report Live Video Report (1:48:03)
Chicago Economy Crime and Migrant Update 4:55 PM 07/25/2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CdTNYsy6z/
Person is down has a plastic bag Chicago and State July 25, 2025, 4:22 PM: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CFbYa3SXP/
Asian stealing from Walgreens on the north side 5441 N Clark July 25, 2025, 4:50 PM: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19heAmtgyX/
Cabrini Green shut down today because of a gang funeral, Row Houses 5:40 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16w3FSuauh/
Person Shot… 9000 block of S. University, on July 25, 2025, at approx. 3:44 PM… Preliminary: An 18-year-old male victim was battered and sustained a gunshot wound to his left thigh by an unknown offender. The victim was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. There is no offender information available, and no one is in custody. Area Two Detectives are investigating (4th District). Posted: July 25, 2025, 4:24 PM CDT: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FCTcZS3z4/
At 5 PM 10 years ago you couldn’t drive here North on Franklin from Kinzie July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JXS61XoaE/
Wonder how many Cabrini Green residents are in these fancy townhomes 5:30 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14M6FDR2eEC/
Cop stationed at the Marshall Field Garden Projects on Hudson 6:04 PM July 25, 2025… these guys fight the Cabrini Green guys: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16nNPfcyTc/
Haven’t seen any social worker yet all these housing projects only see cops what happened to the treatment… HiHo Sedgwick and Evergreen 6:09 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bnu9LcWbh/
Call of a Battery 2434 North Clybourn 6:15 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C49WivK7X/
Come on out to the Taste of Lincoln Avenue at Fullerton promotes the Taste of Lincoln Avenue festival at Fullerton and Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, highlighting its history as a hub for blues bars and mentioning Kingston Mines. The speaker encourages attendance, noting the presence of live bands and a robot, suggesting the event is a lively and entertaining destination. 6:22 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CCLJs4zcz/
Even the yuppies ran out of money over here on Clybourn and Fullerton the bank shut down 6:30 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CSoqwU4oL/
What happened to the yuppie money… This is the front line of gentrification towards Bucktown and Wicker Park at one time about 40 years ago and now you see it shut down about 6:35 PM July 25, 2025 Fullerton and Wood: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19XYbGCYKf/
Person Shot… 1400 block of S. Kedvale, on July 25, 2025, at approx. 5:55 PM… Preliminary: A 20-year-old male victim sustained a gunshot wound to his lower left leg. The victim was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital in good condition. Responding officers are unable to locate a crime scene, there is no offender information, and no one is in custody. Area Four Detectives are investigating (10th District). Posted: July 25, 2025, 6:37 PM CDT: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16h3mFDJwt/
Doing some Urban exploring over here by Ashland and Fullerton don’t be doing this if you don’t know what you’re doing 6:59 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B3fBzBeKX/
Parolee detained with warrants won’t be taken into custody because they’re not serviceable in Chicago 7:33 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19v9PEuK7a/
10-1 Gladys and Cicero They’re trying to detain somebody but they’ve been surrounded… Disregard they got them and they’re getting out of there 7:45 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Fuiryxoo9/
Protesters are vandalizing her car Ogden and Ashland 7:48 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16nULrqC7x/
Carjacking but coded as robbery… Garfield Blvd/Morgan: Juan says he was robbed at gunpoint by a male Black that he gave a ride to, the offender stole the caller’s red Dodge Durango and his phone, caller will be waiting in a black truck next to the elementary school also, quick update. they’re saying that it’s not going to be a carjacking. it sounds like it’s just going to be a straight robbery of his phone. and then they took the car, is what I’m understanding. Juan’s stolen red Dodge Durango has been located at 104th and State. again, it has been located. 8:43 PM Jul 25, 2025 Credit Spot News: https://x.com/SPOTNEWSonIG/status/1948922043732267358
4569 N Elston: a call of a robbery just occurred at Mariscos, caller says a male Hispanic on a bicycle robbed the store w/ a knife, fled westbound on Elston. 9:28 PM · Jul 25, 2025: https://x.com/SPOTNEWSonIG/status/1948933292046115209
S South Chicago Ave/Jeffery: 461 is requesting the Police Helicopter for ppl stealing from the freight trains. 9:55 PM · Jul 25, 2025: https://x.com/SPOTNEWSonIG/status/1948940113414685029
Mental health episode standing on the rails of the bridge Madison and Canal 10:11 PM · Jul 25, 2025: https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1948944325619994727
Female with infant high on drugs on the Blue Line at Chicago Milwaukee Chicago car number 7227 a female Black on the train she’s high on heroin nodding in and out smoking cigarettes she has a child with her two or three years of age Black top leggings nothing further 10:26 PM · Jul 25, 2025: https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1948948004225810899
Possible walk-in shooting victim at Masonic Hospital they don’t know if it’s a prank call or she’s mental 10:26 PM · Jul 25, 2025: https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1948948032730402951
Boy (6) shot in the ass, 3640 W 59th St the victim is in good condition at Christ Hospital. 11:16 PM · Jul 25, 2025: https://x.com/SPOTNEWSonIG/status/1948960614765756760
No Stinkin Mattresses… So what’s the excuse for not having a mattress store and the anchor being empty over here on the edge of yuppieville on Goose Island is it the COVID again remote work what excuses is it that people don’t buy mattresses again… something doesn’t smell right in Denmark 11:16 PM July 25, 2025 2112 North Clybourn video report. Reply by Patrick C: The old Triangle Inn at Clybourn and Sheffield—one of the hottest bars in the city at one time—was a mattress store last time I was in that area. That place had been around since way before Cabrini. Reply by Eddie Ristau… Before yuppies moved into a lot of areas, you had quite a bit of regular, blue-collar no-nonsense types who lived in these areas, more times grew up there. The neighborhood looked out for themselves in most cases and trouble was going to be “dealt” with. There wasn’t the hokey “can we all get along” mindset, you used street smarts & eyes behind your head. You get a new class of folks moving in or buying up homes & apartments, overcharge, try to “sanitize” the area & it’s middle-class image, and then things get into utopia fluff. This where the bad guys now know where to target because of naivete. Seen it. Back in the mid to late 1980’s as a kid at pre-teen to teen years in the Lincoln Square area by Western, Lawrence, Lincoln avenues right by the Western Brown line stop it was middle class, lots of ethnic Germans, few biker bars or regular dives but you tended not to fool around or have common sense. Nowadays that area is “gentrified” and I noticed there’s more problems in the area than it used to be. Lot of previous suburbanite young folks move in and tend to not be on the defense. 11:55 PM · Jul 25, 2025. Even Goose Island Brewing moved out. Area is dead: https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1948968069348364368
Shooting inside an apartment with children 1642 S Christiana 11:23 PM · Jul 25, 2025: https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1948962383168213298
Bad Intentions… imagine the effort, money and resources used to build some weird fence underneath the highway… maybe they could have put that into figuring out to get these couple of guys a house or an apartment or something… it kind of tells you the intentions of the government when they tell you they care about homeless people… they really don’t… they use that as a wedge tactic to manipulate your emotions to get more money out of us and to demonize anyone when they call him out on it 12:02 AM July 26, 2025 Webster underneath the Kennedy Expressway: https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1948974661712179616
Neighborhood Corner Tavern Some areas of the city are still normal Leavitt and Webster 12:15 AM July 26, 2025 Bucktown: https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1948976246416691689
Wicker Park Fest this weekend promoting the Wicker Park Fest, which is taking place on Milwaukee Avenue for an entire week. The speaker encourages people to come down and enjoy the event, noting the positive impact it has on local businesses, as evidenced by the crowded restaurant he tried to dine at. He emphasizes the importance of supporting such community events, which contribute to the vibrancy and success of the area. 12:37 AM · Jul 26, 2025: https://x.com/SubxNews/status/1948980882208919920
CTA continues to be the nuisance how do we enforce the law to protect citizens from vagrants and homeless people taking over public spaces The conversation highlights an issue where individuals are sleeping in CTA bus stops, preventing others from using them during rainy nights. Speaker 1 points out that the CTA, as the landlord of these bus stops, deems the situation a nuisance and must enforce laws to address it. The problem is widespread, including in upscale areas, and the speaker emphasizes the need for effective enforcement to ensure the bus stops remain accessible to the public. 12:45 AM July 26, 2025 Michigan and Chicago Streeterville: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18tD37jNur/
Dinner time Sharks Fish and Chicago 1:11 AM · Jul 26, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15eL1n8z7j/
A man was shot in the face early Friday in Arlington Heights, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. What we know: Sheriff’s Police responded to a 911 call around 3:20 a.m. reporting a shooting in the 3900 block of Galesburg Avenue, located in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. Officers found a man with a gunshot wound to the face and began life-saving efforts before he was taken to a local hospital by ambulance. What we don’t know: His condition was not available as of 9 a.m. Friday. Authorities have not released any information about the victim’s identity, the circumstances of the shooting, or whether they’ve identified a suspect or suspects. What you can do: The sheriff is asking anyone with information about the shooting to call detectives at 708-865-4896: https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/arlington-heights-shooting-man-face?fbclid=IwY2xjawLxXgpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsUborCtt-TC2s4H1CE7wi4QEAa6kyzsF2LN7ov78Pag2Jsukr6O5a9PxHcB_aem_pz2IcO9QPv5HaUMJewqdOQ
Man with 5 arrests in 11 months held in violent Red Line robbery July 23, 2025 10:15 AM CWBChicago CTA: An 18-year-old man is the latest person charged in a violent robbery aboard a Red Line train last month, where a woman was beaten, kicked, and robbed by a group of attackers. Joell Hutson is charged with armed robbery in connection with the June 21 attack and was detained by Judge Rivanda Doss Beal. Prosecutors said a 28-year-old woman and a friend boarded a southbound Red Line train at Roosevelt around 1:45 a.m. When the train reached the Garfield stop, a group of eight males and females boarded, three of whom the victim recognized from a previous attack. Fearing for her safety, the woman tried to exit the train, but Hutson allegedly grabbed her backpack strap while another person unzipped the bag. When she moved the bag to her front to protect it, several people in the group began punching her. The woman fell to the floor, still holding the bag, but the group—including Hutson—continued to strike her, prosecutors said. While one attacker restrained her, 23-year-old Aallyah Gist allegedly kicked her in the head and body multiple times. A male in the group then used a knife to cut the backpack straps, and the group fled with the bag at the 69th Street station. Hutson allegedly took the victim’s phone and speaker before fleeing. The woman exited the train and notified K-9 security personnel. The assault was captured by surveillance cameras, and images were released by police on June 28. A woman who knows Hutson identified him in the footage, prosecutors said. Mass transit officers arrested him recently during a “premise check” at the 69th Street station. Hutson’s record includes five arrests since his 18th birthday last August, including an arrest just three days before the robbery: September 30: Charged with possessing a replica firearm and reckless conduct at the Jewel-Osco at 1224 South Wabash; charges dropped a month later. November 19: Arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon at the 79th Street Red Line; charges dropped in December. March 16: Arrested in the 8100 block of South La Salle for misdemeanor battery and resisting; charges dropped in May. June 18: Arrested in the 100 block of West 87th Street for criminal trespass to a vehicle. Gist, who has no prior criminal record, turned herself in and “made full admissions,” according to prosecutors. Judge Luciano Panici Jr. denied a detention petition for her, placing her on electronic monitoring. In total, six individuals have been charged: Hutson, Gist, and four juveniles. The juveniles’ identities are protected by state law, but police say they include three boys (ages 14, 15, and 15) and a 14-year-old girl. All face felony charges ranging from armed robbery with a dangerous weapon to aggravated battery to a transit employee: https://cwbchicago.com/2025/07/man-with-5-arrests-in-11-months-held-in-violent-red-line-robbery.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawLxb3dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHt8h7rK_FS3lsLzhjSK1DNUxbCpB2Af7MRVro8LSfNoIVZlfcOqZK4bOocY4_aem_zaYIkoGXB25f6pxm7C1dxA
Sheriff Winnebago County Cocaine Fentanyl and Heroin Bust Rockford Illinois: In May 2025, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Unit began receiving information about individuals selling large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine in the Rockford, Illinois area. After an investigation, these individuals were identified as Jerickoe D. Simmons and Cornealious K. Wells. On Thursday, July 24, Jerickoe Simmons was located in the 1100 block of Elm Street and taken into custody. Deputies located 140 grams of cocaine in his vehicle. The investigation led deputies to a residence in the 300 block of North Avon Street where a search warrant was conducted. Inside of the residence, deputies located Cornealious Wells. During a search of the residence, deputies located over 2,300 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 850 grams of suspected fentanyl, 190 grams of suspected heroin, and drug packaging materials. Deputies also located firearm ammunition and a large amount of United States currency. The Winnebago County States Attorney’s Office reviewed the facts of the case and authorized the following charges: Cornealious K. Wells (age 49) of Rockford, IL. – Possession with Intent to Deliver 400-900 grams of Fentanyl – Possession with Intent to Deliver over 900 grams of Cocaine – Possession with Intent to Deliver 100-400 grams of Heroin – Possession of Ammunition without requisite Firearm Owner’s Identification Card. Jerickoe D. Simmons (age 38) of Rockford, IL. – Possession with Intent to Deliver 100-400 grams of Cocaine – Delivery of 15-100 grams of Cocaine. The charges against Simmons and Wells are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 1:16 PM July 25, 2025: https://www.facebook.com/WCSO815?cft[0]=AZUW-LSML_93wxfjTuhBV3K2fy7ebLaTNYj-EKUSqFXvoaPcOLJO3Vrp_rUAwo7s9AmAdqwXBGGguEgxwz0yAxH8LyDJUEGN5BhIK29WY4tFPbuC-t0bQCUu9wIRAOLvUemf4cg9_uspFHwHq_nm6XijM71FM6QLR82SiN6sIiYBtAEdvEz_7YbtW46Bq44eG48&tn=-UC%2CP-R
City Services Lacking from Mayor Johnson By Alderman Ray Lopez 5:30 PM: I believe preventative maintenance is crucial to improving the quality of life within the ward and indeed the entire city. Over the last decade, I have proactively pushed for enhanced parking enforcement, rodent abatement, garbage cart replacement, tree trimming and, yes, sewer/catch basin cleaning. However, following the 2022 remap & subsequent 2023 election of the Johnson Administration, I must say my efforts are at best minimized or at worst, ignored. Many of the flooding issues we saw today stem in part from an administration not focused on the quality of life services that matter most. Translation: the 15th Ward has nearly 70 outstanding requests for sewer/catch basin cleaning from 2024 & 2025! I will continue pushing back against Mayor Johnson’s oblivious & callous view of our neighborhoods. Our communities pay the taxes that fund the city services we are not receiving in a timely manner. We must all work together to make our communities better. I need your help to make that happen! If you have water issues, tree emergency or any other need, please call my office immediately at 773-823-1539 or submit a request through my website at http://the15thward.org today: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/189CYaEugw/
Offenders Charged with Kidnapping 2-Year-Old Female were arrested on July 23, 2025, at 7:26 p.m., in the 6300 block of S. Kedzie, and the third offender was arrested on July 24, 2025, at 12:02 a.m., in the 1600 block of S. Central Park. They were identified as the offenders who, hours earlier, unlawfully entered a residence in the 4800 block of S. Michigan Ave. (2nd District) and kidnapped a 2-year-old female from inside. The victim was later located safely. The offenders were placed into custody and subsequently charged accordingly. No additional information is available at this time. Offender #1: Angelique Mobley, 22-6500 block of S. Wolcott Ave., Chicago, Illinois. Charges: One (1) felony count Kidnapping-Force or Threat of Force, One (1) felony count – Residential Burglary/False Rep, One (1) felony count-Child Abduction Conceal/Detain, Issuance of Warrant. Offender #2: Lamon Weathers, 33-3100 block of W. Marquette Rd., Chicago Illinois. Charges: One (1) felony count-Aggravated Kidnapping/Armed, One (1) felony count-Home Invasion/Firearm. Offender #3: Matthew Price, 27-1600 block of S. Central Park Ave., Chicago, Illinois. Charges: One (1) felony count Aggravated Kidnapping/Armed, One (1) felony count-Home Invasion/Firearm, One (1) felony count – Receive/Possess/Sell Stolen Vehicle. Court: Detention Hearing-2600 S. California July 26, 2025: https://x.com/TAhern_/status/1948927063345258765
Goose Island Closes Its Doors on Clybourn After 35 Years: The pioneering brewpub will flock a few blocks away to the Salt Shed where it will try to rekindle the pre-Budweiser magic by Ashok Selvam Dec 11, 2023, 4:48 PM CST: https://chicago.eater.com/2023/12/11/23996728/goose-island-beer-co-lincoln-park-brewpub-closed-clybourn
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