Chicago Tribune
Contract Buyers League members confront Chicago police after sheriff's police and movers evicted 12 families from their homes in the 9200 block of Eggleston Avenue on March 31, 1970.
Don Casper, Chicago Tribune
The Contract Buyers League was an organization of black homeowners in Chicago who banded together in the 1960s to protest housing discrimination. Unable to get mortgages, they were forced to buy homes on contract at exorbitant prices, and the contracts let speculators evict them if they missed a single payment. The league organized payment strikes, got many contracts renegotiated and collected information that led to the passage of federal anti-discrmination laws. Here, Chicago police carry a man away after a clash as sheriff's police evict four families from their homes in the 8000 block of State Street on April 6, 1970.
Arthur Walker, Chicago Tribune
A crowd confronts police near the evictions of four Eggleston Avenue contract buyers March 31, 1970.
William Yates, Chicago Tribune
Contract Buyers League members leave furnishings at the Chicago Civic Center on March 30, 1970. The items were earlier removed from homes during evictions with the support of police.
Michael Budrys, Chicago Tribune
People celebrate a failed eviction attempt as they block the entrance at 1235 South Keeler Ave. at the Curtis Green residence on March 23, 1970. Because of a large group of protesters, sheriff's police had stopped the planned eviction.
Arthur Walker, Chicago Tribune
Contract Buyers League members demonstrate in front of the federal building on May 19, 1970.
Charles Osgood, Chicago Tribune
A caravan is ready to depart for the Chicago Civic Center to drop off furnishings from the homes of the four contract buyers who were evicted March 30, 1970.
William Yates, Chicago Tribune
Contract Buyers League members move furnishings from evicted homes to dump at the Chicago Civic Center on March 30, 1970.
Walter Neal, Chicago Tribune
A sheriff's police bus drives away after officers evicted a contract buyer from 8547 King Drive on May 4, 1970.
Walter Kale, Chicago Tribune
Women hold a demonstration in front of the Cook County Jail on Sept. 13, 1970, to show their support for four female members of the Contract Buyers League who were jailed for contempt of court.
Michael Budrys, Chicago Tribune historical phot
Contract Buyers League members wait outside the Cook County Court for a hearing with Judge John Boyle, chief of the Circuit Court, on Oct. 6, 1969.
Don Casper, Chicago Tribune
Guarded by sheriff's and Chicago police, movers remove belongings from a contract home at 9520 Emerald Ave. during an eviction March 30, 1970.
Don Casper, Chicago Tribune
Chicago police stand guard at the end of the 9500 block of Emerald Avenue on March 30, 1970, as they try to prevent crowds from gathering to stop evictions, as had happened in the past.
Quentin C. Dodt/Chicago Tribune
Clyde Ross stands near renovated homes in the 3300 block of West Flournoy Street during a block club party Aug. 26, 1972. Ross was vice president of the Contract Buyers League and received a yearlong fellowship from the Adlai Stevenson Institute.
Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune
Clyde Ross, 92, still lives in the home he purchased under contract in the 3300 block of West Flournoy Street.
Entertainment
Featured
‘Shame of Chicago, Shame of The Nation’ series premieres Thursday on WTTW, showing how segregation was built into foundation of real estate
"Chicago is not just a place where segregation happened, but ... the intellectual and bureaucratic headquarters for ... how to carry it out," one expert said.
![If a hot girl summer was a dance, it might look something like Kyle Abraham’s “Are You in Your Feelings?” It's his third work for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, now at the Auditorium Theatre. If a hot girl summer was a dance, it might look something like Kyle Abraham’s “Are You in Your Feelings?” It's his third work for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, now at the Auditorium Theatre.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CTC-L-ENT-ALVIN-AILEY-05.jpg?w=500)
Review: Alvin Ailey Dance Theater gets us ‘in our feelings’ with a mixtape of artistry and legacy
If a hot girl summer was a dance, it might look something like Kyle Abraham’s...
![Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” has died. He was 80. Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” has died. He was 80.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Obit_Dickey_Betts_78566.jpg?w=500)
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit,...
Arts
![With the very Australian-sounding names Willum and Brumby, the 2-year-old marsupials will make their debuts for zoo visitors over Memorial Day weekend. With the very Australian-sounding names Willum and Brumby, the 2-year-old marsupials will make their debuts for zoo visitors over Memorial Day weekend.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CTC-L-ENT-KOALAS-BROOKFIELD-01.jpg?w=620)
Koalas are coming to Brookfield Zoo for the first time
With the very Australian-sounding names Willum and Brumby, the 2-year-old marsupials will make their debuts for zoo visitors over Memorial Day weekend.
Books
![Area libraries, including those in Homewood, Park Forest and Blue Island, are repurposing old card catalog cabinets to house flower and vegetable seeds, encouraging people to donate their leftovers and others to try new varieties. Area libraries, including those in Homewood, Park Forest and Blue Island, are repurposing old card catalog cabinets to house flower and vegetable seeds, encouraging people to donate their leftovers and others to try new varieties.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/STA-L-library-seeds-0418-05.jpg?w=391)
Growing idea: Libraries repurpose card catalogs for garden seed exchanges
Area libraries, including those in Homewood, Park Forest and Blue Island, are repurposing old card catalog cabinets to house flower and vegetable seeds, encouraging people to donate their leftovers and others to try new varieties.
Movies
![In 1992 Chicago, near the end of the Cabrini-Green housing projects, two boys navigate a world changing fast in Minhal Baig's beguiling film. In 1992 Chicago, near the end of the Cabrini-Green housing projects, two boys navigate a world changing fast in Minhal Baig's beguiling film.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2023/10/18/KYIXX5AXUVDMFLR7OI5TWRGRYA.jpg?w=535)
‘We Grown Now’ review: Coming of age in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green projects, in a movie of true distinction
In 1992 Chicago, near the end of the Cabrini-Green housing projects, two boys navigate a world changing fast in Minhal Baig's beguiling film.
TV and Streaming
![Angry members of the Contract Buyers League confront Chicago police after sheriff's police and movers evicted 12 families from their homes in the 9200 block of Eggleston Avenue on March 31, 1970. (Chicago Tribune historical photo) Angry members of the Contract Buyers League confront Chicago police after sheriff's police and movers evicted 12 families from their homes in the 9200 block of Eggleston Avenue on March 31, 1970. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ctc-l-contract-buyersjpg-CT0030033017-e1713377807368.jpg?w=491)
Column: ‘Shame of Chicago, Shame of the Nation’ on WTTW lays bare a city’s history of housing discrimination
What this series brings to the history of Chicago and social justice is a terrible clarity at a time when at least half the country refuses to accept structural racism.
Music and Concerts
![Victoria Walker, known professionally as PinkPantheress, preforms at the Metro in Wrigleyville as part of her Capable of Love Tour on April 17, 2024. (Trent Sprague/for the Chicago Tribune) Victoria Walker, known professionally as PinkPantheress, preforms at the Metro in Wrigleyville as part of her Capable of Love Tour on April 17, 2024. (Trent Sprague/for the Chicago Tribune)](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CTC-L-ENT-PANTHERESS-REVIEW-22_4a4db5.jpg?w=504)
Review: PinkPatheress vibes with an adoring crowd at Metro
This is no exaggeration: PinkPantheress is a star. She is an outright, undeniable music star. That was more clear than ever during her sold-out concert in Chicago on her Capable of Love tour.
Entertainment
![Why does Marian the librarian fall for that slick con man Harold Hill, he who has manufactured trouble in River City purely so he can make a buck from peddling a kids' marching band? Why does Marian the librarian fall for that slick con man Harold Hill, he who has manufactured trouble in River City purely so he can make a buck from peddling a kids' marching band?](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CTC-L-ENT-MUSIC-MAN-04.jpg?w=602)
Review: Lovely ‘Music Man’ at Marriott Theatre is all about Marian the librarian
Why does Marian the librarian fall for that slick con man Harold Hill, he who has manufactured trouble in River City purely so he can make a buck from peddling a kids' marching band?
Theater
![Nostalgic parents and young theatergoers alike will find plenty to smile about in the spring production at Chicago Children’s Theatre. Nostalgic parents and young theatergoers alike will find plenty to smile about in the spring production at Chicago Children’s Theatre.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CTC-L-ENT-FROG-TOAD-01-e1713227541350.jpg?w=563)
Review: ‘A Year with Frog and Toad’ is a sweet musical about a pair of amphibian besties
Nostalgic parents and young theatergoers alike will find plenty to smile about in the spring production at Chicago Children’s Theatre.