El Milagro labor action, new COVID-19 isolation policy and DePaul’s lack of mental health services
And some autumnal music recs to make you feel warm and cozy
And just like that, it’s October! Time to harvest those pumpkins, have a cup of apple cider, bake your favorite fall desserts and start planning your Halloween costumes. Seasonal festivities aside, we’ve got a great rundown for you today, including a feature on the El Milagro labor action, updates about DePaul’s COVID-19 isolation policy and an autumn music recommendation.
In other news, next week we’ll be rolling out our new and improved newsletter! But don’t worry — we’ll still have all the stuff you love, plus more breaking news, a revamped recommendations section, additional community resources and a sleek, new format with easier readability.
Let’s dive in. It’s your newsletter team — Claire, Kate, Richie, Ally, Sadie, Cam and Grace DV — back with more news to start your week!
“This is not a strike, this is a press conference.”
A week after El Milagro workers walked out from the job from two sites along Western Avenue in Chicago’s Little Village, rallies in support of El Milagro workers seeking better worker conditions have continued near the tortilla store’s location on 26th street.
Workers from El Milagro have complained about the heavy workload which in turn has made their job hazardous, low pay for long time workers and sexual harassment at the factories. In a complaint filed to the National Labor Relations Board on September 30, it says “El Milagro is intimidating and threatening workers after several concerted protected activities, trying to impide further organizing to improve their working conditions.”
Collaborating with Arise Chicago, an organization dedicated to advocating for workers’ rights and public policy, they have now held two press conferences out in the street. Jorge Mujica, an organizer for Arise, says El Milagro wrote to the organizers and the workers a letter saying they are ready for “the next strike.”
“This is not a strike, this is a press conference,” said Mujica at the latest press conference on September 30. Mujica said workers are not calling for a strike, nor are they calling for a boycott of El Milagro products. They are encouraging supporters for the El Milagro workers to sign and share their petition. | Richie Requena, Pueblo Managing Editor
DePaul News
COVID-19 Updates
Last Friday, Newsline detailed DePaul’s plan of action after a positive COVID-19 case was reported. The first step? Self-isolate, and if that person resides in on-campus housing, there is much more protocol involved. Check 14 East’s latest story about students surviving quarantine housing.
According to Newsline, after a person reports a positive test to the university, they then interview with a contact tracer. The contact tracer then notifies all close contacts as well as faculty and students enrolled in the person’s in-person classes (if applicable). Finally, the positive test is updated on the COVID-19 dashboard at 6 p.m.
Mental Health Resources (or Lack Thereof) at DePaul
For students seeking University Counseling Services at DePaul, they will be directed to My SSP, a third party counseling app.
UCS director Tow Yau told The DePaulia that the department went though staffing changes in April 2021, and are currently looking to hire new staff members. In the meantime, students are left to find off-campus support, which can be difficult and expensive, or utilize the My SSP app, which many students reported to be insufficient.
Headshots!
Faculty, staff and student employees can register to have their professional headshots taken on October 13 to 14 in the Loop. As of earlier today, there is only one slot open at 12:10 p.m. on October 14.
Chicago Headlines
It’s day seven of budget hearings for City Council and today’s guests were the Chicago Police Board followed by the Chicago Police Department Budget. The over eight-hour long hearing included an array of topics including the addition of mental health responders, the ShotSpotter contract and police entrance exams. Story to come from Justin Lawrence of Block Club Chicago.
Friends and family gathered in Portage Park on Friday to unveil a free little library in honor of Anthony Alvarez. The library, which reads “Long Live Anthony” on the side, sits next to the memorial at the intersection of West Eddy Street and North Laramie Avenue, near where Alvarez was shot and killed by CPD Officer Evan Solano last spring. Read the full story by Ariel Parrella-Aureli from Block Club Chicago.
On Friday morning, police fatally shot a man in Gresham after responding to a domestic call. Police have released no further information except for a statement saying there was a knife found at the scene. The victim, whose name has not yet been released, died of the gun wound while another victim was transported to the hospital in good condition. This is the second fatal police involved shooting this month. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the incident. More from David Struett and Ashlee Rezin of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The federal trial commences for the former DePaul student accused of creating code to help spread propaganda for ISIS. Thomas Osadzinski was studying computer science at DePaul and living in an apartment in Lakeview in June 2018 when he was arrested for allegedly claiming to be working for the Islamic State terrorist group. Get the story from Jason Meisner at the Chicago Tribune.
National Headlines
Johnson & Johnson is planning to see authorization for its COVID-19 booster vaccine this week. The company is the last of three federally authorized vaccine providers to release its booster dose for those eligible. This comes after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was deemed only 71 percent effective as opposed to its competitors, Pfizer-BioNTech’s 88 percent and Moderna’s 93 percent. However, J & J appear to agree that one dose of their vaccine is not enough. Sharon LaFraniere of the New York Times has the story.
The Biden administration officially reversed a ban on abortion referrals at federally funded clinics. The original policy enforced under former president Trump, prevented organizations that accept abortion referrals from receiving any federal money. The new rule, the Title X family planning program, is set to take full effect on November 8. Under the new plan, birth control, cancer screenings and other care will be subsidized for low-income patients. New York Times reporter Noah Weiland provides updates for the story.
Seven journalists employed by the U.S. Agency for Global Media who were previously fired by the Trump administration are now seeking legal action against the agency for breach of contract and wrongful termination. The journalists are alleging they were fired for false accusations of being disloyal to America. Daniel Lippman of Politico has the full story.
A massive oil spill along the coast of Southern California on Sunday has crews and coastline workers frantic as they attempt to contain the oil. The spill originating from a potential underwater pipeline leak is said to be one of the largest oil spills in California history. Over 100,000 gallons of oil has damaged this area of the pacific coast. John Bacon and Christal Hayes of USA Today reported the story.
The Supreme Court of the United States is now back in session on Monday to begin another term. The court is currently composed of six Republican appointees, which makes issues like the right to abortion, gun rights and the separation of church and state highly charged on the docket. Adam Liptak of the New York Times has the story.
Recommendations
One of the best things about fall is the music that can accompany the cozy feeling of the season. Sara Bareilles’ Amidst the Chaos is the epitome of a warm blanket. While it originally debuted in the spring of 2019, it is perfect for this uncertain, transitional autumn season. The album is about loving and living with anxiety, but is the perfect feel for a post-pandemic world. With rich melodies and story-filled lyrics, the album is full of comfort and reassurance for those living with anxiety. The album title, which comes from a lyric in one of the standout songs, “Orpheus”, is a fitting title for the current world. Other standouts of the album include “Someone Who Loves Me”, “Poetry by Dead Men”, “Miss Simone” and “Saint Honesty”. You will be enveloped in warmth listening to Bareilles’ voice and lyrics — and there is no better time for comfort than right now. | Sadie Fisher, Social Media Editor
Resources
Rental Assistance
The Illinois Housing Development Authority periodically offers rental payment programs which send vouchers directly to landlords to subsidize rent costs. The program is currently closed to new applicants. However, housing stability service providers are offered year-round. Check out the resources here.
The city of Chicago’s Rental Assistance Program provides funding for Chicagoans who are at risk of becoming homeless.
The Brave Space Alliance currently offers multiple housing resources. In order to distribute aid accordingly, they have a housing intake and assessment form that you can find here.
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Resources
All of these testing sites and vaccination sites can be accessed for free and without insurance.
Howard Brown offers free, walk-in COVID-19 viral and antibody testing at multiple locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, in addition to mobile testing sites that are updated weekly. The organization also offers the Moderna vaccine for individuals 18 and older. You can check all of their current COVID-19 resources here.
The Illinois Department of Public Health and the city of Chicago offer free COVID-19 testing sites in the city and surrounding counties, which are listed with more information here. IDPH also offers COVID-19 vaccines to all residents 12 years and older. Call 833-621-1284 to schedule an appointment.
The city of Chicago partnered with the Community Organized Relief Effort to set up free drive-thru and walk-in testing sites in the city, primarily on the South and West sides, with appointments available Monday through Friday. Register here.
The city has also updated its COVID-19 testing program with more mobile sites, which change weekly. More info here.
Know someone 12 years of age or older who has yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccine? Check out appointments via Zocdoc, the city of Chicago’s Vaccine Finder or pharmacy websites such as Walgreens and CVS to see what is available in or around your ZIP code.
Mental Health Resources
At Open Counseling, there’s a list of people and nonprofits with counseling services available for free or low cost.
This website compiles mental health resources, including therapist directories and other online resources.
The Center on Halsted offers behavioral health, anti-violence and educational resources for LGBTQ+ people.
Howard Brown Health offers anti-racism resources and sliding scale counseling specializing in the LGBTQ+ community.
This document is a resource for Black people experiencing racial trauma. The master list includes specific resources as well as protesting tips and donation links.
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.
The Trans Lifeline’s peer support hotline is a resource operated by transgender and nonbinary staffers for the trans community: 877-565-8860.
The Center for Religion and Psychotherapy in Chicago is a nonprofit that provides affordable, sliding-scale counseling. Call 312-263-4368, ext. 9081 to schedule an intake appointment (counseling is not religious-centered).
Well, that’s today’s rundown. We hope you have a great week (and month) ahead of you! Catch us next Monday to see the revamped, revised and reworked newsletter.
The 14 East Newsletter Team