10 Years Strong: McKinley Park News Marks a Decade of Keeping the Neighborhood Informed
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Mckinley Park ·
McKinley Park's own homegrown media outlet has hit a major milestone — and the whole neighborhood has reason to celebrate. McKinley Park News, the hyperlocal publication dedicated entirely to one corner of Chicago's Southwest Side, is officially marking its 10th year of neighborhood journalism, having launched back in 2016 as a one-of-a-kind outlet focused exclusively on a single community.
Founder Justin Kerr announced the anniversary on August 10th, reflecting on a decade of chronicling everything from development battles to block parties. Over the years, the platform has grown into far more than a news feed. Interactive features like community polls, neighborhood forums, and a Best of McKinley Park showcase have turned it into a living digital town square — one that, by design, keeps the conversation local, human, and spam-free. The outlet even founded Chicago's Birthday Party, the beloved annual celebration held at the city's geographic center right here in McKinley Park, which drew hundreds of neighbors to 3658 S. Honore St. for its third edition in March 2026.
For a neighborhood moving as fast as McKinley Park — with new housing, streetscape investments, and cultural events reshaping the block — having a dedicated local voice has never mattered more. Here's to 10 more years of neighborhood news. Catch up on everything happening in McKinley Park at mckinleypark.news.
Sources:
1. https://mckinleypark.news/about/letter-from-the-editor/8601-mckinley-park-news-celebrate-10-years-of-neighborhood-news
2. https://mckinleypark.news/news/7964-citys-geographic-center-again-hosts-chicagos-birthday-party