A midnight explosion jolted a quiet stretch of Pilsen early Saturday when a device detonated outside the home of 25th Ward Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, shattered a window while his three children were inside. The blast, reported around 12:45 a.m., did not injure anyone, authorities said.
According to surveillance footage reviewed by the alderman’s office, two men pulled up in an SUV, and one of them walked up to the exterior of the home, lit what appeared to be an explosive device, then hurried back to the vehicle before it sped away. The footage, along with details that the explosion blew out a window but caused no injuries, has been turned over to police, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Candidate in a High‑Profile Race
Sigcho-Lopez has represented the 25th Ward since 2019 and is now running as an independent for the 4th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, a campaign that has boosted his visibility well beyond Pilsen, according to CBS Chicago.
Investigation Underway
The Chicago police Bomb and Arson Unit is leading the investigation, and detectives are asking anyone with information or relevant video to step forward. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that witnesses can contact Area 3 detectives at (312) 744-8263 or reach the 25th Ward office at (773) 523-4100 or [email protected].
What Officials Are Saying
Police have not announced any arrests, and the motive remains under investigation. Authorities are urging residents to save any surveillance footage from around the time of the blast and share it with detectives as they work to sort out what happened on the block that night.
