Derek Molina
Editorial byline
Derek Molina is an editorial byline for City & Local, with a focus on Neighborhoods, Community, Local Guides. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.
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Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
Amtrak's Bridgeport Facility: Where the Environmental Assessment and Community Critics Disagree
Amtrak's proposed Midwest Maintenance Facility in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood faces community opposition, as residents and local officials dispute the Federal Railroad Administration's environmental assessment, which concluded the project's impact would be "insignificant."
Nov 10, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Register for Chicago Park District Programs: Zones, Dates, Wish Lists and Discounts Explained
Registering for Chicago Park District programs requires advance preparation, including creating an online account, identifying your registration zone, and building a wish list during the preview window. Knowing your zone and being ready at 9 a.m. on your designated registration day is key to securing popular spots.
Nov 10, 2026 · 5 min read
Chicago's Neighborhood Capital Fund: Six Eligibility Tests for Your Project and What Comes Next
The Chicago Community Trust's Neighborhood Capital Fund offers late-stage capital for community-led real estate projects in underinvested Cook County neighborhoods. This article outlines the fund's six eligibility tests and guides aspiring applicants through the process and timeline for future funding cycles.
Nov 6, 2026 · 5 min read
Chicago's New Mobile Lead Testing Pilot: Six South Side Neighborhoods, Free Testing for Children 1 to 3
Chicago has launched a two-year mobile lead testing pilot program offering free childhood lead screening directly to families with children ages 1 to 3 in six South Side neighborhoods. The initiative aims to close a testing gap by bringing screening to familiar community locations, removing barriers for families.
Nov 6, 2026 · 4 min read
How to Use Chicago's Free Mobile Lead Testing Pilot: A Parent's Step-by-Step Guide
Chicago offers a free mobile blood lead testing pilot for children aged 1-3 in six South Side neighborhoods. This guide details how parents can find testing events, what to expect during the quick, three-minute test, and how to receive same-day results.
Nov 5, 2026 · 4 min read
No Official Hours in Chicago: How to Figure Out Trick-or-Treating Times in Your Neighborhood
Chicago does not set official trick-or-treating hours, leaving timing to neighborhoods. Parents can determine when to go out by observing local activity, the day of the week, and sunset.
Oct 30, 2026 · 4 min read
How Chicago Residents Can Shape Public Art: Two Paths Beyond Just Looking
Chicago residents can shape public art through two main avenues: DCASE's P.A.R.T.Y. initiative for neighborhood visioning and ward-level participatory budgeting for direct project funding. Understanding these distinct pathways empowers community involvement in public art decisions.
Oct 30, 2026 · 4 min read
Chicago's Opportunity Zones: Community Investment or Displacement Risk?
Chicago's Opportunity Zones, designed to attract investment to distressed areas, face criticism for lacking resident benefit requirements and potentially accelerating gentrification and displacement. The article explores the program's goals versus resident risks, accountability gaps, and strategies for community engagement.
Oct 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Getting Involved in Chicago Community Policing: Who to Talk To and Where to Show Up
Chicago residents can actively participate in their neighborhood's safety through the city's Neighborhood Policing Initiative (NPI), which assigns officers to build relationships and address concerns. This guide explains how to understand NPI roles, find your local beat, and attend meetings to engage with officers and contribute to public safety.
Oct 27, 2026 · 4 min read
Who to Call: Reporting Illegal Dumping, Air Pollution, and Water Contamination in Chicago
Chicago residents can report environmental hazards like illegal dumping, air pollution, and water contamination to the correct agency by understanding jurisdictional differences. The Illinois EPA handles land and air issues, the MWRD manages waterways, and Cook County covers suburban areas.
Oct 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Volunteering at Chicago Animal Shelters: PAWS Chicago Offers a Simple First Step, While CACC's Intake Status Is Unclear
Chicago offers two main animal shelter volunteering paths: PAWS Chicago, with a simple online orientation, and Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC), which has a complex application process. Prospective CACC volunteers must navigate conflicting information regarding current intake status, making direct verification essential before applying.
Oct 21, 2026 · 5 min read
How the Chicago Housing Trust Splits Ownership to Keep Homes Affordable
The Chicago Housing Trust enables homeownership for low- to moderate-income residents by separating the buyer's ownership from the mechanism that ensures long-term affordability. This model uses a Deed Covenant to restrict resale prices, offering lower entry costs and stability in exchange for limited equity appreciation.
Oct 20, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Form an Officially Recognized Park Advisory Council in Chicago
Chicago residents can form an officially recognized Park Advisory Council (PAC) through a defined process with the Chicago Park District. This guide outlines the step-by-step checklist, from initial contact to registration, and explains the benefits of official recognition, including advisory roles and access to city-wide funding.
Oct 19, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Become a Foster Parent Through PAWS Chicago: Requirements and Application Steps
Becoming a foster parent with PAWS Chicago requires resident pets to be spayed/neutered and reliable transportation. The application involves completing an online form, awaiting approval, and scheduling a pick-up appointment to provide a loving temporary home for animals.
Oct 16, 2026 · 5 min read
Protecting Your Home from Flooding: A Guide to Mitigation and Insurance Savings
Homeowners can protect their properties from flood damage through various mitigation strategies like elevation, floodproofing, and relocation. Implementing these methods not only enhances resilience but can also qualify properties for reduced flood insurance premiums.
Oct 11, 2026 · 5 min read
Beyond Neighborhood Watch: A Guide to Three Community-Led Safety Models
This guide explores three distinct community-led safety models: Volunteer-Led School Streets, Placemaking and Equitable Development, and Resident-Government Partnerships. It details their unique approaches, operational structures, and resource needs to help communities select the best fit for their safety goals.
Oct 8, 2026 · 5 min read
A Resident's Guide to Speaking at a School Board Meeting
This guide provides residents with a step-by-step process for speaking effectively at school board meetings. It emphasizes understanding local policies, sign-up procedures, and presentation guidelines to ensure your voice is heard.
Oct 8, 2026 · 4 min read
How Public Art Gets Made: A Guide to Funding, Approval, and Maintenance
Public art follows a structured lifecycle involving distinct stages: securing funding through various sources, navigating multi-layered municipal approval processes, and establishing plans for long-term maintenance and conservation. Understanding this deliberate administrative framework is key for engaging with public art initiatives.
Oct 3, 2026 · 5 min read
Fears Over Battery Storage Safety Fuel Protests and New Regulations
Community fears over catastrophic fires and toxic emissions from large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) are fueling protests and prompting new regulations, including moratoriums and safety setbacks, as governments balance clean energy needs with public safety concerns.
Oct 2, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Start and Sustain a Neighborhood Watch Program
Establishing a Neighborhood Watch program enhances local public safety and strengthens community bonds by fostering collaboration between residents and law enforcement. This guide outlines how to start, organize, and sustain an effective program for crime prevention and community engagement.
Oct 1, 2026 · 4 min read