In Avondale, Polish Music Is Replaced By Construction

Jackowo used to be the heart of Chicago’s Polish community, in a city that once had the second highest population of Polish people in the world. Warsaw had the most. The neighborhood, which many Chicagoans know as Avondale on the Northwest Side, has changed from Polish to Latino in recent decades, and continues to change as residents get priced out of Logan Square and Wicker Park. That’s meant the stretch of Milwaukee Ave. once surrounded by Polish restaurants, clubs, bakeries is less retail and more condo buildings. We talk to Mary Wisniewski and Joanna Marszalek, who have both lived in Jackowo and wrote about it recently for Chicago magazine.

Guests:

Mary Wisniewski and Joanna Marszalek—Co-authors, "The Death (and Possible Rebirth) of Jackowo"

Call or text us at 773-780-0246 and tell us what you were doing right before the pandemic shutdown in 2020.

Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago

Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm