Little Village Local

Little Village Local Little Village-based artists dedicated to art, storytelling, & documenting of neighborhood history in Little Village and Pilsen.

09/19/2026

Born and raised in Little Village, Orbit has spent years developing his work through school, experience, mentorship, and the people around him.

We caught up with him to talk about his journey, his work, and the ideas behind it.

Come out this Saturday for Orbit’s Second Eye at TE-QU, featuring a one-day pop-up and an exclusive limited-edition merch drop.

Saturday, September 19
12 PM–5 PM
3126 W 26th St

Shot and edited by:

Federal immigration agents were seen near 26th and Spaulding around 10:40 AM today, Wednesday, October 22. Residents are...
10/22/2025

Federal immigration agents were seen near 26th and Spaulding around 10:40 AM today, Wednesday, October 22.

Residents are advised to remain indoors or avoid the area. Individuals are reminded that they have the constitutional right to remain silent and are not required to open the door unless agents present a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge. Administrative warrants (such as those signed by ICE officials) do not grant entry authority. Any suspected ICE activity should be reported to the ICIRR Hotline at 855-435-7693.
Please share this notice.

Agentes federales de inmigración fueron vistos cerca de la 26th y Spaulding alrededor de las 10:40 AM hoy, miércoles 22 de octubre.

Se recomienda a los residentes permanecer dentro de sus hogares o evitar la zona. Se recuerda a las personas que tienen el derecho constitucional de guardar silencio y que no están obligadas a abrir la puerta a menos que los agentes presenten una orden judicial válida firmada por un juez. Las órdenes administrativas (como las firmadas por funcionarios de ICE) no autorizan la entrada.

Cualquier actividad sospechosa de ICE puede reportarse a la línea directa de ICIRR al 855-435-7693.
Por favor, comparta este aviso.

The face you make when they tell you Pilsen Yards is authentic Mexican food
03/21/2025

The face you make when they tell you Pilsen Yards is authentic Mexican food

Circa winter 1979, Little Village. During the year of Chicago’s historic blizzard, the neighborhood faced not only the h...
01/03/2025

Circa winter 1979, Little Village. During the year of Chicago’s historic blizzard, the neighborhood faced not only the harsh winter but also systemic challenges, including housing inequities and underfunded schools. Despite these struggles, the resilience and unity of its residents laid the foundation for the transformative activism that would define the 1980s.

The last slide captures the backyard of a two-story flat in Little Village, a quiet symbol of the community’s enduring strength.

📸: C. William Brubaker Collection

Plaza Garibaldi, Little Village, 1992: For decades, Plaza Garibaldi has served as a meeting point for the unique fusion ...
03/11/2024

Plaza Garibaldi, Little Village, 1992: For decades, Plaza Garibaldi has served as a meeting point for the unique fusion of rodeo and Mexican culture. Charreadas, unlike Western American rodeos, aren't just about competition and prizes; for Mexican Americans, it’s a celebration of cultural heritage—a meaningful traditional expression beyond the arena, defining the essence of what would be simply considered just a "rodeo" to some.

To this day, amidst a constantly evolving Little Village marked by new developments and newcomers, Plaza Garibaldi continues to stand as a timeless destination, offering an authentic Mexican cultural experience for residents in La Villita.

Photos by: Amanda Alcock

Street views of Pilsen, Chicago, summer of 1993.📁: Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum.
01/29/2024

Street views of Pilsen, Chicago, summer of 1993.

📁: Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum.

We are very saddened by the loss of a beloved neighborhood staple in Little Village, Librería Girón will be closing it’s...
10/12/2023

We are very saddened by the loss of a beloved neighborhood staple in Little Village, Librería Girón will be closing it’s doors. We invite you to show your support during this time as they will be offering discounts and a sale on many books. Their doors will remain open until December 31st.

Ada Alicia Girón, born on May 10th, 1936, in Guatemala City, aspired to become a teacher, believing in the power of knowledge and education: When she moved to the United States, she aimed to expand her horizons. During her time here, she met Julio Girón, and together they founded Libreria Girón in Chicago in 1957. This small electronic shop blossomed into a book retail empire with nine stores across Chicagoland.

Tragedy struck when Julio died in a car accident while returning from Guatemala, leaving Ada Alicia with six children. Determined, she, with her children's help, expanded the business, leaving a lasting legacy in Pilsen and Little Village communities. Over the years, Libreria Girón hosted numerous literary figures and Latino celebrities, such as Jorge Ramos, Roger Patron Lujan, Maria Antonietta Collins, and many more. For over 65 years, the Girón Family provided bestsellers and independent books for the Spanish-reading community. Ada Alicia passed away on August 29th, 2019, remembered as a passionate, wise book lover, who believed in the power of education and literature.

We encountered Don Jose as he was clearing out his shop on the other side of Discount Mall, where he had been a tenant f...
03/23/2023

We encountered Don Jose as he was clearing out his shop on the other side of Discount Mall, where he had been a tenant for many decades. During our conversation, he shed light on Novak's unethical strategies and provided us with insight into the possible fate of the remaining tenants.

As the situation remains difficult, it is crucial that we offer our support to these vendors. Given what we already known about Novak's questionable actions, one can only wonder what lies ahead for the historic Discount Mall and the potential exacerbation of gentrification in Little Village in the near future.

Hello everyone, we’ve launched two first edition limited run tote bags in collaboration with .pintamuro.Your purchase wi...
02/06/2023

Hello everyone, we’ve launched two first edition limited run tote bags in collaboration with .pintamuro.

Your purchase will assist our efforts for future planned art projects in the neighborhood this year.

Tote bags are %100 printed by us, we hope you enjoy! We’ve also included $5 patches as well. Link is in bio!

https://littlevillagelocal.bigcartel.com

tlazocamati ✨

Little Village, circa 1979. View north of Cermak & California.
12/12/2022

Little Village, circa 1979. View north of Cermak & California.

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