r/WindyCity

I was a recent victim of a random punch in the face leaving work on Thursday, 6/25/26 at about 5pm on the 300 N block of Michigan Ave. Unlike many of the other victims, I’m a male in my 50s. This guy came from either behind or beside me and punched with with a a right hook striking my brow and bridge of my nose. Never saw him or the punch coming. At first I thought I had walked into a pole or a wall but was confused as I was in the middle of the sidewalk. When I looked to my right this guy was standing there challenging me with clenched fists saying “what ya gonna do”. I yelled “what the f$$$k” and “call 911!” while pulling my phone out of my pocket to get photos of him. He realized I was gonna take his pic and darted across traffic to the west side of Michigan Ave heading toward the bridge and disappearing in the crowds.

I was standing there with blood pouring out of my nose and NOT ONE person on the sidewalk stopped to see if I needed help or offer up their info as a witness. I had to go into the nearby Starbucks to get napkins to stop the bleeding. I was left with fractures in my right and left nasal bone in the bridge of my nose and a fractured bony nasal septum, along with severe bruising under both eyes and across the bridge of my nose. Luckily there was little to no displacement so I didn’t need surgery or adjustment. It could have been much worse. As mad as I was about the incident I was more upset at the lack of basic humanity and compassion of the many people on a busy chicago street.

I filed a police report and shared the pics with the detective. Coincidentally, on my way to work the following Monday morning, I passed the puncher on Michigan Ave bridge, not more than 300 feet away the site of the punch. He was acting erratically, randomly stopping to do air squats and carrying a full bottle of wine at 8am, The photos in the white tee are day of attack, the black tee are from Monday. Anyone else punched by this guy?

Chicago will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this weekend.

Parades, fireworks displays, concerts, picnics and more will take place around the city and nearby Chicagoland suburbs.

We will post citywide events here, and neighborhood events in the comments.

We also encourage you to add events that are taking place in your communities within this posting.

Chicago's Independence Day Fireworks

>Navy Pier promises an extended, 15-minute show commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. It’ll be set to music and — as always — set over Lake Michigan against the city’s skyline. 10-10:15 p.m. July 4 from Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.; details on the free event at navypier.org

Chicago's Independence Day Salute

>The Grant Park Orchestra plays rousing patriotic favorites — from Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” to John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” — along with George Gershwin’s “Three Preludes,” Carlos Gardel’s “Tango (Por Una Cabeza”), a medley of Hollywood blockbusters and more. Christopher Bell conducts this free outdoor concert, part of the Grant Park Music Festival. 7:30-8:45 p.m. July 4 in Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St.; free seating on a first-come, first-served basis; reserved seating from $28 at grantparkmusicfestival.com

Chicago Tribune's Chicagoland Fireworks Show Listing