SUNDAY EDITION: A guide to the DNC, The Bears preseason and charges in the death of Matthew Perry
plus, Latin Restaurant week
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! It’s your newsletter team – Annabelle, Ellie, Lauren, Gia, Varun and Ella – back with a special Sunday edition of In the Loop! We’ve got a good one for you today.
To kick us off, we have an unofficial guide to life in Chicago during the DNC. We also have a DePaul faculty member inducted into Morehouse College Collegium of Scholars, information on the court ruling against a General Iron permit and news from the campaign trail with Harris and Walz. To wrap up, we have information on Latin Restaurant week in the city and REC.
If you want to show support for 14 East and ‘In the Loop,’ we invite you to donate directly to our newsroom. Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a monthly gift, every cent helps us build a newsroom that serves you, our readers, and we get 100% of your donation.
With that, let’s get into it!
Your Unofficial Guide to the 2024 Democratic National Convention
By Annabelle Rivera
It’s time, y’all. After over a year of nail-biting and anticipation, the Democratic National Convention begins in Chicago on Monday, Aug 19. The four-day political extravaganza brings D.C bigwigs, controversial protests and late-night host Stephen Colbert tossing hot dogs from the Wrigley Field bleachers.
Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz will be taking the stage this week to formally accept their party’s nominations. Other big names – such as President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama – are set to make an appearance as well.
But these high profile guests bring increased security. The Secret Service, still under fire for their handling of Republican candidate and Former President Donald Trump’s assassination attempt, announced heightened security protocol for the attendees. This also means you can’t actually buy tickets for the convention, but it will be streamed live on the DNC’s website.
A bit of relief for DePaul students– the convention takes place at the United Center and McCormick Place - so classes and activities in the Loop should be (relatively) unaffected. There are some road closures and parking restrictions around the venues, likely leading to much more crowded buses and trains, so make sure to take this into consideration when commuting.
Adding to the closures, scheduled protests will take place in the surrounding areas all week. Organizations like the Coalition to March on the DNC and the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine have planned marches to object to the Democratic party’s handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The Chicago DNC historically has been dangerous for protests (the 1968 Chicago Riots, anyone?) but the police say they have everything handled to make sure they don’t evolve into something more. Police Supt. Larry Snelling announced that the CPD will honor people’s right to protest, “but there will be no rioting tolerated.”
Please make sure to stay safe this week if you’re around the convention!
DePaul News
By Ellie Shelton
DePaul Professors named Illinois ‘Researchers to Know’
The Illinois Science and Technology Coalition’s annual “Researchers to Know” list recently added three DePaul professors. The professors – Michelle Stuhlmacher, Jacob Furst, and Heather Quinn – have made the list for demonstrating a commitment to innovation in science and technology. To see more about the work of the DePaul faculty, visit ISTC’s website.
DePaul faculty inducted into Morehouse College Collegium of Scholars
DePaul Department of African and Black Diaspora Studies and Social Transformation Research Collaborative Postdoctoral fellow Taurean J. Webb has been inducted into the 38th Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers and Laity’s Collegium of Scholars. The Collegium of Scholars honors academics, writers, researchers, educators, and mentors dedicated to promoting social responsibility and human rights. Webb, a graduate of Morehouse, was nominated for his research, writing, and education on the historical relationships between the Middle East and Black America. To learn more about Webb’s work and induction visit DePaul Newsline.
DePaul Student Performs at Lollapalooza
DePaul student, Adan Diaz, performed twice in Chicago’s popular music festival Lollapalooza. Diaz has released two EP’s since his hit single “ripped jeans.” Karina Atkins from The Chicago Tribune has more.
Chicago Headlines
By Lauren Sheperd
Legal battles between the city and protestors intensifies – The Coalition to March on the DNC – comprised of different pro-Palestinian groups planning on protesting at the Democratic National Convention – are still waiting for a decision on their lawsuit against the City of Chicago. The federal lawsuit was filed in March following restrictions put in place on protesting and the denial of protest permits to three groups. The groups were given an alternate protest route in Grant Park which is three miles from the United Center where the convention is taking place. Despite the DNC beginning tomorrow morning, the lawsuit has yet to be resolved. Melody Mercado of Block Club Chicago has more.
General Iron permit denied – A judge ruled in favor of the city's decision to deny a permit for the General Iron car-shredding operation on the Southeast Side on Friday. The permit was originally denied in early 2022 with the city citing potential health risks from increased air pollution in the area. Cook County Circuit Judge Allen Walker overturned the original decision in the case by an administrative court that claimed the city didn’t follow their own rules when it came to the permit denial. Walker struck down several legal claims made by the owner of the company, including one that said the health risks were an invalid reason to deny the permit. Brett Chase of the Chicago Sun-Times has more.
1908 Race Riot monument to be built in Springfield – Surrounded by lawmakers, civil rights leaders and community leaders, President Joe Biden signed an order on Friday to create a national monument at the location of the 1908 race riots in Springfield, Ill. The riots lasted two days and were sparked by an alleged rape and murder of two white women by two Black men. By the time the National Guard was called in to restore order, two Black men – Scott Burton and William Donnegan – had been lynched and dozens of Black and Jewish owned businesses had burned. Rioters were arrested and acquitted, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was established shortly after. “We can’t let these things fade,” Biden said just before signing the order. The Associated Press through WTTW has more.
Bears preseason game provides some hope – The Bears won their third preseason game yesterday against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field with a score of 27 to three. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams – the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft – appeared cool and calm, reassuring fans who have been subjected to quarterback struggles for the past few seasons. Somehow, there were no first downs for the Bears. Their next and final preseason game will be Thursday against the most recent Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago has more.
National Headlines
By Gia Clarke
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz campaign in Pennsylvania – Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota campaigned in western Pennsylvania on Sunday before their stop in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. They are currently on their “bus tour” on their way to the DNC in Chicago. As Pennsylvania is a swing state, it is crucial to win the state’s vote, which is why Republican candidate Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance of Ohio have plans to stop there Monday. NPR’s Asma Khalid and Lexie Schapitl have more information.
Drug dealer charged in connection with the death of Matthew Perry – Jasveen Sangha, also known as the “Ketamine Queen,” has been charged in connection with the death of ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry on Thursday. Perry died of an accidental ketamine overdose according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office, and was found face down in his pool at his Pacific Palisades home. 41-year-old Sangha was one of five people charged in connection with the death of Perry. Federal investigators say she sold approximately 15 vials of ketamine to Perry’s intermediary. Corky Siemaszko and Rich Schapiro from NBC News have more information.
Former confederate monument in Georgia replaced by John Lewis statue – A statue of civil rights activist Sen. John Lewis of Georgia replaced a former confederate monument that stood before in Georgia. On March 7, 1965, Lewis and other civil rights leaders led a march from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama for voting rights. During the march, Lewis and other protesters were brutally beaten by police despite peacefully protesting. The confederate monument that stood before the Lewis statue was a 30-foot obelisk erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy in 1908. The obelisk was removed in June 2020 due to national racial justice protests following the murder of George Floyd, who was a victim of police brutality. Joe Hernandez from NPR has more information.
John Aprea died at 83 – “The Godfather Part II” and “Full House” actor John Aprea died on Aug. 5 at 83 years old according to his manager Will Levine. He died of natural causes in Los Angeles. Aprea got his big break in “Bullitt” the 1967 Steve McQueen classic film. His other well known roles were young Salvatore “Sal” Tessio in “The Godfather Part II” and Jesse Katsopolis’s father in “Full House.” Lucia Suarez Sang from CBS News has more information.
14 East Pueblo: Latin Restaurant Week returns for its 4th year
By Annabelle Rivera
Food lovers, rejoice! Latin Restaurant Week kicks off this week, highlighting Latine chefs, restaurants and cuisines across the city.
Over 40 participants will offer special dishes and menus to patrons in order to increase visibility of the city’s Latinx population.
“It really started just out of necessity,” LRW founder Karinn Chavarria told the Chicago Sun-Times. “There were so many restaurants that we considered the backbone of the culinary industry. And in traditional restaurant weeks ... we noticed that the Hispanic community was a little unserved and overlooked.”
According to research by McKinsey & Company, Latin food is the third most popular cuisine in the United States. Since its initial founding in 2019, LRW has expanded from its Houston roots to seven cities. Chicago’s Latin Restaurant Week runs from Aug 16-30.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Varun Khushalani
Chicago is simply brilliant in the summer. The sun shines brighter and early, warming everything in its gaze. The trees light pathways with marvelous greens and the sky seems more blue than ever. Unfortunately, the month of August is almost winding down, and the breeze gets a tad chillier by the day. Summer hasn’t left us yet, it’ll hopefully maintain our spirits for a few more serene weeks, but eventually, September will arrive and the world will begin to get colder, piece by piece.
While I listen to jazz chronically, there’s just something calming about a good jazz album on a summer afternoon; the birds sing along with the calming melodies, the breeze sways with each phrase. One album in particular has proven especially useful as I try to hold onto the warmth of each day. Paul Desmond’s Summertime, recorded in 1968 for the legendary Verve Music Label, radiates with all the emotions beckoned by the end of summer.
Each song paints a portrait of the season, no matter where in the world you are. Songs like “Samba with some Barbeque” and “Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da” buzz with the energy of life brought out by good weather, times and people. Others, such as “Olvidar” and “Emily” are ripe with nostalgia and swoon with the sadness of the inevitable passage of time. “Autumn Leaves” warns of the oncoming Fall, while “Summertime” celebrates the best of times — its fast rhythms and swings glide along the memories of yet another summer. Desmond, one of the best alto saxophone players in the history of Jazz, is best known for his contributions to the Dave Brubeck Quartet, composing many songs for the group, including the classic, “Take Five.”
His work is often described in the vein of “Cool Jazz,” but this term is often a misnomer: it doesn’t come close to conveying the breadth of emotion played by him, and other musicians such as Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan. Jazz isn’t for everyone, this I know. But with only 10 songs over the 40-minute album, it’s the perfect accompaniment for those last trips to the beach or slow walks through vibrant parks. When school starts and the leaves start falling, the memories of the warmest months may fade. But we’re here now, celebrating as the sun still warms our minds and hearts. Enjoy it more with Paul Desmond’s “Summertime,” available anywhere music is played.
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