# Lil Rel Chicago Comedy Festival > Lil Rel returns to Chicago for comedy festival honoring his roots. - Title: Lil Rel Chicago Comedy Festival · Chicago Sun-Times | Shortify - Summary: Lil Rel returns to Chicago for comedy festival honoring his roots. Lil Rel Howery filmed his new comedy special in Chicago for the What’s Funny Festival… - Keywords: lil rel howery, what's funny comedy festival, black ensemble theatre, chicago, comedy special, death of father, chicago comedy scene, black comedians, west side chicago, madison street, news, local - Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/comedy/2026/09/24/lil-rel-chicago-comedian-whats-funny-festival-west-side-black-ensemble-theater - Published: 2026-09-24T10:30:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: lil rel howery, what's funny comedy festival, black ensemble theatre, chicago, comedy special, death of father, chicago comedy scene, black comedians, west side chicago, madison street, news, local ## Lil Rel returns to Chicago Comedian Lil Rel Howery filmed his latest standup special at Black Ensemble Theatre in Chicago. > Some of the best musicals I’ve ever seen have been at Black Ensemble ## What’s Funny Comedy Festival The What’s Funny Comedy Festival runs through Saturday and Lil Rel cofounded it with his former manager Knowledge Beckom. > We want a blended festival ## Chicago comedy roots Chicago has established itself as a premier destination for Black standups and comedy training grounds. > People get mad when we say this, but the best comedians come out of Chicago ## Lil Rel’s Chicago connection Lil Rel Howery grew up in Chicago’s West Side and has strong ties to the neighborhood. > I like just driving up and down Madison ## Dedication to father Lil Rel filmed his comedy special after his father passed in January and dedicated it to him. > I told my brother after the funeral, ‘I want to do a special dedicated to dad’ ## Festival goals The festival aims for 40% out-of-town performers and emphasizes diverse stories beyond comedy. > I don’t want 90% men. I want women comics ## Chicago confidence Lil Rel credits Chicago’s diversity for building his confidence to succeed in L.A. and New York. > I was able to be so confident coming to L.A. and going to New York because Chicago made me feel like a star already ## Black ensemble theatre Lil Rel praised Black Ensemble Theatre for its role in his comedy career and future collaborations. > I’m really hoping to build a relationship with them beyond just this special ## Festival honors The festival will honor Bill Bellamy with the 2026 Icon Award. > The fest will honor legend Bill Bellamy with the 2026 Icon Award ## Chicago’s comedy legacy Lil Rel highlighted Chicago’s history of producing legendary comedians like Bernie Mac. > Think about Bernie Mac, for us Black comics, he set the tone for what being yourself looks like ## Personal memories Lil Rel recalled childhood memories of his neighborhood on Madison and Central Park streets. > If I drive to Western, I remember going to the laundromat on Saturdays with my mother, me and my brothers carrying our stuff ## Father’s funeral Lil Rel visited his father’s funeral home after his father passed in January. > I just wanted to stop there. I know he’s not there, but I built a relationship because I was there so much ## Chicago snowballs Lil Rel bought snowballs from a Chicago shop after being recognized by locals. > I love what Chicago represents for me. I was driving up and down out west the other day and stopped to get some snowballs ## Chicago theme song Lil Rel used a Chicago-themed song for his sitcom theme. > One of my favorite songs is Crucial Conflict’s ‘In The Circle’ ## Festival impact Lil Rel plans to see new Chicago comedians at the festival and celebrate his hometown. > Chicago’s just a great place for standup comedy ## Key takeaway Lil Rel Howery filmed his new comedy special in Chicago for the What’s Funny Festival, dedicating it to his late father and hometown.