On campus HIV/STI testing, voter registration and digitally encrypted police scanners
plus a farmers market to check out before the season ends
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! It’s your newsletter team — Kate, Mariah, Cary, Chinyere, Isabella, Emily, Bridget, Monique and Richie.
As we settle into the quarter, DePaul continues to roll out a variety of on campus resources for students, faculty and staff. Today, we’re breaking down on campus HIV/STI testing, and where else to go if appointments on campus fill up, as well as voter registration opportunities on campus in light of November’s election.
For more content on past ‘In The Loop’ stories, be sure to check out our website.
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That’s all from me on this slightly chilly Monday. Let’s get to the news!
How to access on campus STI/HIV testing
By Mariah Hernandez
In a recent press conference, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported a sharp increase in STDs/HIV in the United States.
On September 22, DePaul’s Office of Health Promotion and Wellness held the first HIV/STI testing event of the school year in partnership with the Lurie Children's Hospital. Testing was available for gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia and HIV.
The free Health Promotion and Wellness testing event was available by appointment only and had limited spaces. We reached out to Tyler Wurst, Director at the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness for a comment on the event as well as more information on STI/HIV testing. He was not able to respond in time for publishing.
DePaul currently does provide STD/HIV testing outside of this event when students pay for “health services” through Sage Medical Clinic, but there are some limitations to this.
The services through Sage Medical Clinic are provided to students who pay the quarterly fee for health services. Students who live in a dorm are automatically enrolled in these services (except those living in University Center), but DePaul stresses that it is not an insurance plan. The health service fee is $60 per quarter.
STD Testing is covered under this health service if a student is experiencing any symptoms. HIV testing is provided at a discounted fee and not completely covered by the health services fee.
The health services fee only covers a student during the school year, so when there is a break between quarters, the coverage is not available. Currently, Fall Quarter health services are covered from August 29 to November 23.
The complications of the testing services under DePaul’s health services are similar to complaints voiced to DePaul about the lack of support when it comes to healthcare which was previously reported in a 14 East article about the possibility for a student healthcare plan.
According to the CDC, anyone from ages 13 to 64 should be tested for HIV at least once per year. More information about how often you should be tested can be found here. By making testing more accessible, rates are able to lower.
Here is a list of places with STI/HIV testing in Cook County.
DeHub lists two more HIV/STI testing events this quarter. One is available on October 13 on the Loop campus. The next is scheduled for November 3 in Lincoln Park. You can register for HIV/STI testing on DeHub.
DePaul News
By Cary Robbins
Dining Discount
DePaul faculty and staff can receive a 15% discount if they eat at Blue Demon Dining locations. Here is a link to see more information. The discount does not apply to sushi with gusto.
Loop Campus
Blue Demon Dining Hall
The Market
Brownstones
Lincoln Park Campus
Blue Demon Dining Hall
ETC
All Brownstones locations
312 Diner
Sheffield Avenue Subs
Transit
Register to Vote on DePaul’s Loop Campus
On Tuesday, September 27, all eligible voters are able to register to vote or request a mail-in ballot at the DePaul Center (1 E. Jackson Blvd.). This event will be going on from 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
DePaul Community Welcome to Art Institute Friday September 30
On Friday September 30, the Art Institute of Chicago is inviting the DePaul community to a special programming event from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. This includes “in-gallery talks and other activities.” Here is the link for more information. Students, faculty and staff at DePaul have free access to the Art Institute of Chicago with their school ID any time.
Lastly, here is your weekend sports update (Sept. 23-25):
The women’s volleyball team lost 3-1 against Butler on Friday.
The women’s tennis team combined for an 18-12 record during their tournament at the Toledo Rocket Invitational.
The women’s soccer team lost 1-2 against Xavier on Sunday.
The men’s soccer team lost 3-0 against Penn State on Sunday.
Chicago Headlines
By Chinyere Ibeh
Chicago Police will switch its radio systems to digitally encrypted channels — These digitally encrypted channels will limit access to one of the few ways to monitor police activity. Police scanners had been a resource for journalists for breaking news unfolding events. The police zones that will be encrypted will still be available via Broadcastify with a 30-minute delay. Dispatchers will also have the ability to pause transmission if personal identifiable information is being discussed. Paige Fry of the Chicago Tribune reports more on the move as well as “rogue radio.”
Three-year-old dies after falling into Lake Michigan — According to the medical examiner’s office, three-year-old Josiah Brown died after he was allegedly pushed into Lake Michigan. His aunt, Victoria Moreno, allegedly pushed the boy and watched him sink below the surface. Prosecutors claimed that Moreno didn’t call for help and stared as the child went underwater. After 30 minutes, the boy was finally found and he was sent to the hospital. Moreno was denied bail at her court hearing, though her attorneys claimed she has mental health issues. Read more on the story from the Chicago Sun Times.
Chicago wants to revitalize its LaSalle street corridor — The city is offering incentives to convert empty office spaces into apartments and condos, located on LaSalle from Wacker Drive south to Jackson Boulevard. The program aims to add more than 1,000 new residential units by offering developers tax-increment financing (TIF) dollars to repurpose buildings along LaSalle Streets. Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar says it’s hard to say how many property owners will apply, but there appears to be a good amount of interest. Proposals are due December 23 with priority given to Chicago Landmark buildings. Melody Mercado reports on the new project for Block Club Chicago.
What Chicagoans need to know about Illinois’ REAL ID — Illinois residents will be faced with the decision to obtain a REAL ID-compliant card soon. The federally-mandated identification will be required for various things beginning next year. The REAL ID Act institutes a strict set of rules for strengthening the security of identification documents in the country. The enhanced identification will be required to travel domestically in the United States. Illinois residents must have their REAL-ID compliant driver’s license and/or State ID by May 3, 2023. Illinois residents will also need REAL ID compliant ID to visit military bases and other secure federal facilities, including courthouses. Read more on NBC Chicago.
National Headlines
By Isabella Ali
Hurricane Ian to hit Florida — The National Hurricane Center said on Monday that Hurricane Ian, which is expected to approach Florida's gulf coast this week, may bring dangerous storm surges and heavy winds speeds as high as 120 mph as it moves toward Cuba. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urges residents to prepare for Ian’s impact as he warns of power outages, evacuations, and fuel shortages. For more information, visit CNN.
NASA mission to crash spacecraft into asteroid — A NASA spacecraft is prepared to purposely crash into an asteroid to test a planetary defense system. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test, or DART mission, will test a defense strategy that might prevent an asteroid from crashing into the Earth in the future. The collision is planned to take place at 7:14 p.m. ET today. Denise Chow of NBC News has the story.
Vladimir Putin grants Edward Snowden Russian citizenship — U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden, now has Russian citizenship after Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday. After leaking U.S. surveillance documents in 2013, Snowden has been granted asylum and allowed to reside in Russia permanently. In November 2020, Snowden and his wife applied for Russian citizenship. In the U.S. he could be facing up to 30 years behind bars on charges of espionage and stealing government property. Read more from Pjotr Sauer’s story at The Guardian.
U.S. to send $12 billion in aid to Ukraine — Negotiators in the U.S. Congress has agreed to include almost $12 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine in a spending bill. Anonymous sources revealed that the funding would include $2.7 billion for ongoing military, intelligence and other defense support, as well as $4.5 billion to supply Ukraine with defense capabilities and equipment. The bill comes after U.S. President Joe Biden requested earlier this month that $11.7 billion be sent to fund new emergency military and economic aid for Ukraine. Alexander Ermochenko of Reuters has the story.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Emily Figueroa
As October approaches, the Logan Square Farmers Market located at 3061 W Logan Blvd. is coming to an end. The outdoor market is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will host its final day on October 30. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, let me guide you through the market, buying from Hispanic Vendors.
Your first stop is at Anticonquista Café, a family farm-owned and operated coffee roaster from Guatemala and Honduras. You can enjoy their imported roast in a horchata cold brew or café de olla, which has hints of cinnamon and orange peel.
To accompany your coffee, the Original Empanoli is next on your list. Their mix of empanada and ravioli comes in sweet and savory. Try their top sellers like chicken mole verde or picadillo beef with a side of sour cream and salsa.
Enjoy the market’s last month and the fall weather. Grab some friends and visit Logan Square to indulge in quality coffee and fresh empanoils.
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