A continued mask mandate at DePaul, a mini Valentine’s Day mix and a new rom-com recommendation
Plus a federal conviction for one of Chicago’s aldermen
Happy Valentine’s Day! From everyone on the newsletter team — Claire, Mariah, Aneesah, Maureen, Monique, Emily, Grace DV, Cam, Kate and Grace V. — we want to wish you the loveliest of days. If you happen to be in search of a last-minute V-Day spot, be sure to check out this piece from Associate Editor Ava O’Malley for some cool places around campus to take your family, friends and valentines. And while you’re at it, check out our Valentine’s Day mini-issue that we published last Friday, which also features Pueblo’s second annual Amor Playlist and a story on how local businesses are faring amid another pandemic Valentine’s Day.
In addition to that, this week 14 East is publishing another issue: our Beyond Sports issue. This issue is a collection of stories that explore the critical role sports play in communal, cultural and personal identity. So be on the lookout for those pieces that drop Friday.
In other news, this week we have our first public newsroom of the year! Join us virtually tomorrow, Tuesday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. for a conversation on race, gender and sports journalism with journalists and authors of Game Misconduct: Hockey’s Toxic Culture and How to Fix It, Evan F. Moore and Jashvina Shah. To attend this event, register through our Eventbrite here!
Well, that’s all the housekeeping from me! Now let’s dive in.
Valentine’s Day Vibes
By Aneesah Shealey
Valentine's Day is all about spreading love, which is sorely needed in this day and age. An essential part of this oh-so-lovely holiday is the acknowledgment of other people's love languages. Mine include acts of service, so I whipped up two mini-mixes for different crowds celebrating tonight.
First up is the mini-mix for those celebrating with their boo today. Laced up with Samm Henshaw, Jhené Aiko and a host of R&B artists, this mix is perfect for your candlelit dinner or whatever romantic escapades you find yourself in tonight.
Single ladies and theydies, I did not forget about us! If you’re spending tonight with your galentines or by yourself, this mix will definitely keep you hype throughout the night. Houston’s finest newcomer Monaleo kicks off an explosively fun playlist packed with Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion that is certain to keep the all-girls spot jumpin’ all night.
Not to be corny, but love is an essential part of every person's life. As my beloved late great-grandmother would say, “Be kind, and love one another.” Get in the spirit of love this Valentine’s Day, and treat the people around you with nothing but kindness.
Stay warm, Chicago. Aneesah out.
DePaul News
By Mariah Hernandez
DePaul To Continue Mask Mandate
In light of Gov. JB Pritzker announcing that he plans to end the indoor mask mandate by the end of February in select locations, DePaul University officials released a statement clarifying their plan to continue with their current course of action. In their statement, they reiterate the recommendation of KN95/N95 masks on campus. They also affirm the important role that masks have had on preventing the spread of COVID-19. DePaul’s reminder can be found here.
Registration for Spring and Summer Quarters open now
Starting on February 10, registration for the Spring and Summer Quarters has opened. Students should have received an email with their registration date and time. Be sure to upload your COVID-19 booster proof to Campus Connect before March 1 to be granted access to register for in person classes. Spring quarter begins on March 26 and the deadline to add classes is April 1. DePaul’s registration deadlines can be found on the academic calendar.
New Dean announced for the Driehaus College of Business
Sulin Ba has been announced as the next dean for the Driehaus College of Business starting on July 1. The role is currently held by interim dean Thomas Donley. Ba is a professor of operations and information management at the University of Connecticut. She has also held the position of Associate Dean of Academic and Research Support. Ba is committed to creating more diversity within DePaul staff and students. More information on Ba can be found here.
Lastly, here is your weekend sports update (February 12 to 13):
The men's basketball lost to Providence 73-76 on Saturday.
The women's basketball team won against Georgetown 105-104 in double overtime on Sunday.
The women’s tennis team won against Northern Illinois 6-1 on Sunday.
Chicago Headlines
By Maureen Dunne
Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson Convicted in Federal Tax Fraud Charges — A jury found Patrick Daley Thompson guilty of filing false tax returns and lying to regulators February 14. Due to state law, he will be forced to resign from his seat as 11th ward alderman immediately. Mayor Lightfoot has 60 days to appoint someone to fill his seat in City Council. His trial centered around his dealings with Bridgeport’s Washington Federal Bank, which was shut down in 2017. Thompson is the first sitting alderman in over twenty years to face federal charges, and the first of the Daley family. Jason Meisner of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Future of the Chicago Reader Uncertain Due to Stall in Nonprofit Status — The Chicago Reader’s plans to transform into a non-profit have stalled as its two owners clash over the role of the Reader’s co-publisher and president Tracy Baim. The conflict comes in the wake of her handling of a controversial op-ed an owner penned regarding vaccinating children in November 2021. Without a resolution from the board, the Reader cannot become a nonprofit. Baim estimates that the Reader can operate through March with current funds. David Roeder of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Wieners Circle Hotdog Stand Cameras Capture Second Crime – Security camera footage from the Wieners Circle in Lincoln Park captured a man’s car being stolen Sunday night. This is the second crime this week the restaurant’s cameras have captured. The Wieners Circle utilized its security camera footage and social media to attempt to track down a person who had thrown snowballs at its staff, and later, a brick through its window on Wednesday. No arrests have been made in either case. Jake Wittich of Block Club Chicago reports.
Chicago Billionaire Ken Griffin Donates $20 Million to Pritzker Opponent — Ken Griffin, CEO of the multinational hedge fund, Citadel, has made his loyalties clear in the upcoming Illinois governor’s race with a $20 million donation to Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin. Irvin, who is running for the Republican nomination in the June 28 primary, aims to tackle Chicago’s gun violence and frame Governor Pritzker as being soft on crime according to his latest campaign statements. Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
National Headlines
By Monique Mulima
L.A. Rams Win Super Bowl LVI – The Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 to win the Super Bowl Sunday night. The Super Bowl also included half-time show performances by Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent. The Associated Press has some of the highlights.
Inflation Hits 40-Year High – On Thursday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor released the January 2022 Consumer Price Index which showed that prices jumped 7.5% compared to January 2021 and 0.6% since last month. Inflation in the U.S. is now the highest it has been since 1982. There have been many pandemic related factors driving rising costs. Jeanna Smialek and Madeleine Ngo of the New York Times have the details.
Congress Approves Bipartisan Sexual Harassment Bill – On Thursday, the U.S. Senate approved a bill that guarantees that victims of workplace sexual harassment cannot be forced into arbitration. Arbitration was a process workplaces often used to shield employers and prevent sexual harassment allegations from being public. The bill was originally brought forward by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) following the rise of the #MeToo movement in 2017. Michelle L. Price of the Associated Press reports.
U.S. Warns Americans to Leave Ukraine – Last week the U.S. State Department and President Joe Biden warned all U.S. citizens in the Ukraine to depart now. This comes among heightened tensions in the region with Russia reportedly deploying 140,000 troops near their border with Ukraine. Bill Chappell of NPR has more.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Emily Soto
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! I hope you’ve had a relaxing weekend — whether it was spent with someone special or just on your own. If you’re like me, you might have spent part of it at the theater watching the new rom-com, Marry Me. But if you didn’t, you can still go out for Valentine’s part two.
This story focuses on pop star celebrity Kat Valdez, played by Jennifer Lopez, on her journey to find love, after finding out — only moments before her exclusive televised wedding event — that her husband-to-be, Bastian, played by Maluma, cheated on her. This leads Kat to make a rash decision in the heat of the moment: She asks a stranger in the audience to marry her.
Her new husband is Charlie Gilbert, played by Owen Wilson, a high school math teacher and divorced dad who was unwillingly dragged to the concert.
In traditional rom-com fashion, the couple tries to get to know each other while navigating the two different worlds they are trying to bring together. She deals with social media criticism, being the punchline to every late night host’s jokes and her own self doubt, while he tries to understand her world and deal with Bastian’s attempts to win back Kat.
In addition to the classic storyline, JLo and Wilson deliver performances that you would expect to see from the pair. Performances that make you feel so safe and comfortable, that even when their differences inevitably come between them, you know they will find their way to each other.
So, while this is not the most innovative story, there are still moments that can make you laugh, make you feel sad and might even make you roll your eyes a little if cheesy love isn’t your thing.
Marry Me is now in theaters and is available to stream on Peacock.
Resources
Need resources regarding warming centers, rental assistance, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
Well, that’s all folks! Get out there and show someone some love today. See you next time!
The 14 East Newsletter Team