4 takeaways from our public newsroom, the closure of a South Side Pepsi plant and the World Series
plus, a show to watch when you need to relax
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! It’s your newsletter team Lauren, Sam, Ellie, Audrey, Noel, Annabelle, Noёl and Ella. We’ve got a good one for you today.
To start, we have some takeaways from our first public newsroom of the school year covering last minute election questions and concerns. Then, we have information on a new degree program at DePaul, record high temperatures to come to Chicago this week and Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden. To wrap up, we have the return of a massive ofrenda to Pilsen and a fashion competition series to watch.
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With that, let’s get into it!
Election day is coming up: Here are four things to know
By Sam Freeman
Early voting in all 50 wards began last week, so 14 East hosted a public newsroom to answer common questions about voting. Speakers Max Bever, Director of Public Information at the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, and Dr. Laura Owen, longtime volunteer with the League of Women Voters of Chicago, joined us for a discussion. Here are our four major takeaways to keep in mind as you prepare to vote.
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Local elections are the ones to watch — This is the first election where the Chicago School Board will be on the ballot. For the past 30 years, all board members were appointed by the mayor. Now, the city is transitioning to a fully-electable board. On November 5, 10 of the board members will be elected, and in two years, the entire board will be elected by Chicagoans. Owen recommends referencing Chalkbeat to locate your district and find information about the candidates running. The race is likely to be very close, so don’t overlook it on your ballot.
Did you miss the voter registration deadline? Don’t panic — In Illinois, October 20 was the last day to register to vote online at the Illinois State Board of Elections website. However, same-day registration is available at all polling locations on Election Day. This means you will both register and cast your vote on November 5, and your voter registration will be verified after. The rules for voter registration vary by state, so be sure to check the deadlines for your area by referencing our out-of-state voter guide.
Beware of mis/disinformation – This election is flooded with mis/disinformation, making it all the more important for voters to do their research before casting their ballot. Bever recommends reaching out to your local board of election commissioners to verify deadlines, rules and other information. While the board is the primary source of information, Bever also recognizes that there is sometimes distrust of the election commissioners office. In that case, Owen recommends referencing other reliable resources, including the League of Women Voters, Chalkbeat and the Injustice Watch. Double-check information that you receive via text. Sometimes even well-intentioned messages contain typos. Misinformation that you come across can be reported to the Illinois State Board of Elections through this form.
Election results won’t be immediate – The city of Chicago has a two-week counting period after election day plus an additional week to ensure that every vote is counted. Media organizations will make predictions on Election Day, but those are not official election results. While vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked or dropped off by November 5 at 7 p.m., they may not make it to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners until days, and sometimes weeks later. The board needs to account for each vote, so it will be several weeks before the election results are official.
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Each state has different laws and procedures. If you’re voting out-of-state, reference your local board of election commissioners for information about deadlines, restrictions and the commission’s procedures. The election is only eight days away, so if you haven’t already returned your vote-by-mail ballot, consider dropping it off at a voting center location, or have it postmarked by USPS to ensure it’s counted. For more information about candidates and referendums, you can reference our comprehensive voter guide.
DePaul News
By Ellie Shelton
New Degree Programs Combine Humanities and Computer Sciences — DePaul’s School of Computing introduced two new degree programs combining computer sciences and history and writing this fall. The new “CS+X” programs were designed to offer a double-major approach without the full requirements of a double major. Kenneth Adusah at DePaul Newsline has more.
Faculty, Staff and Students Invited to Review ‘Designing DePaul’ Plans — DePaul’s community has been offered the opportunity to review the newest updates to the university’s ongoing ‘Designing DePaul’ strategic plan. This plan aims to drive DePaul toward a stronger future as a national leader in education. To provide feedback, community members can use a feedback form found here. DePaul Newsline has more.
DePaul Commencement Updates Released for Graduating Seniors — DePaul Leaders have officially announced the dates for graduating seniors. The university also announced its new ‘Grad Fair’ featuring different DePaul offices to assist in graduation and post-graduation help. DePaul Seniors can check their DePaul email for more information.
Chicago Headlines
By Audrey Leib
Pepsi abruptly closes its South Side plant — The 60 year old plant in the Back of the Yards neighborhood was closed today with no notice. People arrived to work and were told that the plant is permanently closed and to go home. The plant employs over 200 workers, including truck drivers. A former Pepsi truck driver, Eric Gadson, said there was no notice of a closure. In a statement, Pepsi said that the decision to shutter the plant was due to the building’s “physical limitations.” The statement included that the plan to shut down the plant follows local laws on employment and that they are working with local union leaders. A statement from the Teamsters Local 727 union, who represent the plant, said that Pepsi’s notice is in violation of the WARN act, which requires companies with 75 or more employees to give a 60 day notice for massive layoffs or closures. Pepsi will continue to pay benefits through mid December to workers at the plant. ABC7’s Jasmine Minor Leah Hope has the story here.
Vandals break windows at Uptown’s Nabala Cafe, again – For the second time in two months, vandals broke windows housing Palestinian flags and art at the Uptown neighborhood Nabala Cafe. Owner Eyad Zeid said that the four windows that were smashed would cost upwards of $6,000 to replace. A staff member found the windows smashed in and glass strewn about the cafe and sidewalk on Friday morning. Zeid said that the cafe would be back open on Saturday, the windows now boarded up. The last time vandals struck, Zeid covered the replacement window with community donations. He says he’s not sure he can ask the community again to cover the costs. Chicago Sun-Times reporter Violet Miller has more here.
Record high temperatures expected this week – Tuesday might be able to break a heat record as temperatures rise to 80 degrees. Monday is dry and chilly, but Tuesday will bring summer-like weather. The current record high for October 29 is 78, but the normal temperatures for this time of year is around 57 degrees. Wednesday will also have high temperatures in the low 80s, but storms are going to roll through near Wednesday evening, bringing showers on Halloween. By afternoon, showers will move out of the area, so trick-or-treaters will stay dry. Want more on the weather this week? Check out NBC5’s weather coverage here.
Toys ‘R’ Us store comeback - The beloved toy store Toys ‘R’ Us opened its first standalone store in Norridge over the weekend at the Harlem Irving Plaza mall. The retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and shuttered stores nationwide in 2021. The brand was operating out of Macy’s department stores. The Austin, Texas based Go! Retail Group that owns Toys ‘R’ Us says they chose Chicago as the first place to open a store because “Chicago is magical.” Read more about the opening and when you can see Geoffrey the Giraffe from the Chicago Tribune’s Myrna Petlicki here.
National Headlines
By Noel Reyes
The 2024 World Series is headed to New York with the Dodgers leading 2-0 against the Yankees — The World Series is now headed into game three of the best of seven tonight in the Bronx. The series kicked off in Los Angeles last Friday, October 25, with the Dodgers beating the Yankees at Chavez Ravine Stadium in L.A. Heading into New York with a commanding position, the Yankees find themselves in a precarious situation, they hope to use home advantage in order to snatch their first win in the series. Yankees will host games three and four and will also host game five if they fend off the Dodgers’ current hot streak. “Historically teams that win the first two games, not a surprise, go on to win the series more often than not — 80% of the time,” NPR freelance reporter Steve Futterman wrote. Teams have come back from 0-2 deficits many times. In fact, the last two times these two teams faced off in the World Series 1978 and in 1981 that’s exactly what happened. The Yanks found themselves in the same situation and were able to come back and clinch the series in '78 and the Dodgers flipped the script to take home the series in ‘81. Read more from NPR’s Brittney Melton.
Donald Trump’s MAGA rally at Madison Square Garden, his closing message — New York’s Madison Square Garden saw Former President Donald Trump host a rally yesterday to deliver his closing message to critics and Americans before election day on November 5. The spectacle continued for more than four hours with a surreal lineup of guest speakers voicing their thoughts on the election. Former World Wrestling Federation wrestler Hulk Hogan made an appearance along with TV psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe however took the show with his stand-up set that included crude and even racist remarks about key demographics for Trump’s campaign. One of his jokes jabbed at Puerto Rico, calling it “literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now.” Trump’s childhood friend David Rem referred to Harris as “the devil.” Business mogul Grant Cardone proclaimed to the crowd that Harris “and her pimp handlers will destroy our country.” Trump’s rally on Sunday reflected his usual tone that we’ve seen throughout his three presidential campaigns. For more in depth coverage read Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price’s story on AP News.
Ballot boxes set ablaze in Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, Wash. — Ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington were set on fire early this morning. Local officials said three ballots were damaged in Portland while potentially “hundreds” were affected in Vancouver. Police stated an "incendiary device" was found inside a ballot box in Oregon's largest city. With a week away from the election it's unclear if the incidents in Portland and Vancouver are related and authorities have not ascribed a motive, but they come as election officials across the country have said they are on high alert. The FBI has issued an investigation on the incidents of the burning ballots yet no further details were immediately available, Vancouver police said. For more on the incident read Erik Ortiz and Andrew Blankstein’s story on NBC.
14 East Pueblo: Pilsen’s giant ofrenda is back for Día de los Muertos
By Annabelle Rivera
A 16-foot tall ofrenda is back in Pilsen.
Longtime resident Isabel Hernandez created the ofrenda herself over the course of three weeks. Neighbors provided 420 pictures of Pilsen residents who have passed. There are also pictures of 40 pets, including dogs, cats and a rabbit.
“I just do it for the neighborhood because I just want to make them happy. And this is the Pilsen altar because it’s for the people who were part of Pilsen,” Hernandez told Block Club.
Ofrendas are a key part of Día de los Muertos in Mexico, or Day of the Dead. Every year from October 31 to November 2, people build ofrendas, or altars, to adorn with pictures and offerings to invite the spirits of loved ones who have passed away.
Hernandez decorates the ofrenda with crafts and figures she buys during her trips to Mexico. In recent years she has bought ornaments online due to the rise in popularity thanks to the Disney movie “Coco.” She says she’s inspired by the vibrant colors and culture back in Mexico.
The giant ofrenda is located at 1340 W. 19th St.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Special Guest Noёl Bentley
Bored and need something to watch? This isn't exactly the brain rot I usually suggest, but it can help many of you with your style… Next in Fashion is a Netflix fashion design competition that debuted in 2020 and released a second season in March 2023.
In the 10 episodes, 18 designers from around the world come to compete for the final prize of $200,000 and debut a collection on a luxury fashion retailer site. Throughout the two seasons hosted by Tan France, Alexa Chung (season 1 only) and Gigi Hadid (season two only) these designers have to design, sew and showcase multiple looks for the hosts and celebrity guest judges in a set amount of time.
This show is an amazing opportunity for each designer to showcase their original skill in front of celebrity judges like Tommy Hilfiger, Jason Bolden, Donatella Versace, Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and more.
The show does a fantastic job portraying each designer's history, the obstacles they faced and even wrapped in contestant's families. In season one, they highlighted Minju Kim. Kim has a very compelling story, growing up in South Korea and attending Samsung Art & Design Institute specializing in womenswear. Throughout Kim’s career has been told that her designs are too much, that she needs to tone down, and that no one would wear her outlandish designs. This has affected her deeply and throughout the competition, you watch her develop into the designer that she was meant to be.
In the second season, the stories became more personal and compelling. Danny Godoy’s story had judges, viewers, and me (Noël) in tears. In season two episode four titled “Childhood,” we heard him reflect on a childhood photo. Godoy knew he was part of the LGBTQIA+ from a very young age and being a first-generation Mexican-American, this was a bit taboo. But Godoy goes on to talk about how even with the harsh backlash, his mother stood by his side his entire life and was the person always in attendance at his drag shows.
Every look that is showcased during the show is original and unique. Sometimes the looks are unfinished, some seem outlandish, and some completely miss the mark, but every look in the show is beautiful in its own way, designed with the blood (you will see many designers with bandaids) sweat, and tears for designers competing for the chance to win $200,000.
Resources
Need resources regarding cooling centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team