Quarantine guidelines, another Loop shutdown, 5 million COVID-19 cases
And a history-rich resource of Chicago's South Side
Hey there,
Long time no see. Francesca Mathewes, 14 East’s Editor-in-Chief, is jumping in to help out with this week’s newsletter, alongside your normal crew: Cam, Grace and Justin back with our first newsletter in two weeks.
Where have we been? Believe it or not, the 14 East staff needs a break every once in a while, too. So we’ve taken the past two weeks off to recharge and reevaluate how this newsletter will look going into the fall. Is there something you want to see more of? Something we aren’t doing enough of? Resources you want us to share? Give us some feedback here! It’s important to us that this newsletter reflects the interests of our community, so don’t hesitate to give us a piece of your mind.
However, we’re back today to resume our regularly scheduled coverage to provide you all with the updates you need to know.
What’s happening in Chicago?
News moved fast in Chicago this weekend.
On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Chicago police officers responded to a call of a person walking with a gun on the 5700 block of South Racine Avenue in Englewood. In a confrontation with police, the man fled on foot and fired at police, to which officers returned fire. This information is according to reports by the Chicago Police Department, since there is no body camera footage of the incident. The man has been confirmed to be 20 years old. He was wounded, was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital and is expected to survive. No officers were injured.
That afternoon, a large crowd gathered at the scene of the incident to protest the violence and was met by an even larger influx of police.
After the confrontation between community members and police officers in Englewood was deescalated peacefully, further unrest began in the Loop and some residential areas overnight, starting with a store at 87th and Dan Ryan, according to Police Superintendent David Brown. Over 400 officers were sent to the Loop, where hundreds of people broke into dozens of stores and damaged property in the area.
Brown and Mayor Lori Lightfoot condemned the unrest. “We are waking up in shock today,” Lightfoot said in a press conference Monday. “This was straight-up felony criminal conduct.”
Downtown bridges were lifted in an effort to cut off access to downtown in a similar fashion to the George Floyd protests in late May. Over 100 people were arrested and 13 officers were injured throughout the night. CTA service into the Loop was also cut off and restored around 8 a.m.. Lightfoot announced that tonight, bridges will again be lifted by 8 p.m. and CTA service from Fullerton to 47th and Halsted, Divvy service and access to expressways will be restricted until 6 a.m Tuesday. Lake Shore Drive will also be closed from Fullerton to I-55 until Tuesday morning.
Activists and community members have spoken out against the reaction by the mayor and CPD on social media, renouncing officials’ valuing of damaged property over damaged lives in Chicago.
Mayor Lightfoot once again said federal troops or the National Guard should not be sent into the city to deal with unrest. “Again, no, we do not need federal troops in Chicago, period, full stop,” Lightfoot said in the Chicago Tribune. “I’m sure the president will have his way with this incident but I’m calling upon him to do the things that we do need,” such as making changes to the nation’s gun laws.”
Since international protests began in support of #BlackLivesMatter in May, the city of Chicago remains one of the only major cities in the U.S to not make serious concessions to calls for police divestment.
Also, on Monday afternoon (talk about a news day) a destructive derecho storm swept through Iowa and into northern Illinois with winds reaching up to 72 mph and leaving thousands without power –– over 180,000 in Cook County. Metra trains sustained major delays and Blue Line trains were stopped near O’Hare as crews worked to clear debris from the tracks. According to the Chicago Fire Department, the most serious damage occurred on the Northwest Side.
In COVID-19 related news, the state of Illinois reported 1,319 new cases today and one new COVID-19 death, a drop after Illinois reached 2,000 cases on Friday and Saturday. The state has now reported 195,399 cases overall and 7,637 confirmed deaths.
Renters can now apply for one-time $5,000 relief grants through a new state program, starting today.
Other Headlines In Chicago
After a party was broken up by the mayor herself at Chicago’s Montrose Harbor, Chicago Park District followed up by putting a fence up at the perimeter of the lake. “It’s called a pandemic, people,” said the mayor via the administration’s Twitter account. Read the full piece by the Chicago Tribune’s Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas and Jessica Villagomez.
Just in case you’ve missed going to movie theaters, six drive-in movies will be available around the city starting tomorrow. It was noted that restrooms will not be available. Check out the full list of movies and locations by Block Club Chicago’s Alejandra Chaidez.
After their announcement that all classes will be held remotely in the fall, Chicago Public Schools announced that it will be defunding its partnership with CPD by $18 million. Sun Times reporter Nader Issa gives the full story.
After a drive-by shooting in the Gold Coast resulted in the death of Chicago rapper FBG Duck, his friends reflect on his life and legacy with the TRiiBE’s Tonia Hill.
“He had a good heart. He wasn’t all about gang banging or what the news was portraying him to be,” said Bo Deal, a rapper and violence prevention activist. “He was a good man, a good brother, and a great father.”
What’s happening at DePaul?
Checked your inbox lately? You may have noticed a few new messages from the university. Following recommendations from the Chicago Department of Health, DePaul University has been issuing email notifications of positive COVID-19 cases on campus to the university’s community. DePaul is notified of such occurrences through an anonymous, self-reported form that all who have been on campus are asked to fill out following a positive test result.
What about new cases when school starts? For those students coming from states listed in the city’s Emergency Travel Order, there will be four options for them to quarantine upon arrival to campus. These options will allow the students to be safely isolated for fourteen days in total to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Students are slated to first start moving in on-campus on Sunday, August 16 — these residents will participate in a two-week quarantine in DePaul housing. This Sunday is also the deadline for canceling on-campus housing without a penalty; more information is available on DePaul Housing's website.
In response to the current anti-racism discussions, students are calling for change to the university’s colleges. Student Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion at DePaul’s School of Music began circulating an open letter, calling for the resignation of the college’s dean, Ronald Caltabiano, over allegations about Caltabiano’s “ineffectiveness in creating a safe space for students of color” and low feedback received from students. More on the School of Music’s calls for change and inclusion can be found here.
Meanwhile, at the College of Communication, students are speaking out against allegations of tokenization and insensitivity towards students of color. From complaints that they’re being used as “marketing tools” within the college to being told that soul food is “what poor Blacks eat, and poor whites” by a professor in the college, these students are calling for change and greater respect in classes.
With the start of Fall Quarter 2020 right around the corner, news about what classes will look like under continued social distancing guidelines has slowly been making its way to the student body. The faculty council recently voted to continue the Pass/D/Fail grading system into Fall Quarter, alleviating some academic stress for students. Additionally, plans for a student health safety pledge, a reporting app for students experiencing symptoms and a new online educational module on COVID-19 were also announced.
If you don’t want to read the news, here’s the headlines to know.
The United States passed a grim milestone on Sunday: 5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. This comes only two weeks after the U.S. reached 4 million cases on July 23, according to Politico’s Brianna Ehley.
Over 200 deaths and 5,000 injuries have been reported after an explosion in Beirut on Aug. 4. Now, as 300,000 people are left homeless, protests rage on, resulting in the resignation of three ministers with more government officials expected to follow. Get the full story at BBC.
Today, in Baltimore, a gas explosion killed one person, injured at least six and destroyed three homes. You can check out the story by New York Times reporter Brian Pietsch and the aerial footage of the incident soon after it happened.
As protests continue in Portland, a local activist collected funds to provide Black Portlanders with immediate aid. Titled the Black Resilience Fund, it has already raised $1.42 million. Check out the full story by the Washington Post’s Maureen O’Hagan.
This morning, the Miami Herald reported that Florida experienced another 4,155 coronavirus cases, its lowest daily total since June. The new cases bring the state’s total to 536,961. Read the full story by Michelle Marchante.
On Saturday, President Trump signed an executive order which extends unemployment benefits and defers payroll taxes. Those who previously qualified will receive $400 a week as opposed to $600, Associated Press and Chicago Sun-Times report.
Your Educational Resource of the Week
Each week we will be using this section to highlight a different educational resource on race. It may come in the form of literature, film, art or anything that Black scholars and activists are centering at this time.
This week’s education resource is The South Side by WBEZ reporter Natalie Y. Moore. In her book, Moore highlights the lives of South Side residents and the impacts of race and class in some of the most divested neighborhoods in the City of Chicago.
You can find this book online or in person at a branch of the Chicago Public Library or at Semicolon Bookstore and Gallery, an independent Black-owned bookstore in Chicago.
Mental Health Resources
This document is a resource for Black people experiencing racial trauma. This master list includes specific resources as well as protesting tips and donation links.
This link is a directory of Black therapists in Chicago
This link is a directory of Black therapists in Chicago who provide services for under $75
Here’s 7 virtual mental health resources supporting Black people right now, including Chicago-based community organization Sista Afya’s support groups
And the Trans Lifeline’s Peer Support Hotline is a resource operated by transgender and nonbinary staffers for the trans community: 877-565-8860.
Where to Access Food in Chicago
Brave Space Alliance has a crisis food pantry for Black and trans individuals in need. If you would like to request assistance from Brave Space Alliance, fill out this form.
This spreadsheet highlights businesses and locations providing food. There are also links to donate to these organizations.
Check out the Greater Chicago Food Depository for food banks or donate.
Free Resources for Non-Black Allies
The NPR podcast “Code Switch” tackles a diverse array of topics centered around racial identities and racism in America.
Reading guide of texts about race. All PDFs are free.
Here’s a guide to protest safely during the pandemic
Here’s the ACLU’s Right to Protest guide for Illinois
Can’t protest but want to help? Use this social media toolkit by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR)
If you think someone you know has been arrested – call the Chicago Community bail fund at 773-309-1198 to locate them (you need to know their birthdate and full legal name)
Where you can donate
Brave Space Alliance: https://www.bravespacealliance.org/donate
Supports trans and gender non-conforming people of color
Marsha P. Johnson Institute: https://marshap.org/about-mpji/
Supports Black trans individuals
The Okra Project: https://www.theokraproject.com/
Supports the mental health of Black trans individuals
Autistic People of Color Fund: https://autismandrace.com/autistic-people-of-color-fund/
Supports autistic people of color
Circles and Ciphers: http://www.circlesandciphers.org
An art-based restorative justice organization
Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression: https://www.caarpr.org
Supports the push for CPAC, the Civilian Police Accountability Council.
Provides resources to underserved communities
Chicago Torture Justice Center: http://chicagotorturejustice.org
Supports survivors of police torture
A community-based organization representing Chicago’s South Side and South suburbs
Today’s been pretty chaotic, between the severe weather and the uprisings across the city. Make sure to take a moment and pause — reflect, drink some water, make some nachos, and talk to a family member or friend. We’ll be coming back next week with another newsletter; until then, feel free to drop us a line in the Google form or in a reply to this email.
Until next week,
Cam, Justin, Grace and Francesca