👋 Hi, it's Moyo!

If you're looking to up your costume game this Halloween, a professional makeup artist may be the solution.

The big picture: Kate Johnson, who has a background in special effects and film, founded The Bridal Beauty Team in 2010 and Glossed Finishing Studio in 2023. She offers costume makeup, special effects and body painting.

• Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson would typically have 20-50 clients during the Halloween season. Today, she sees around 15 clients a year looking for Halloween makeup services.

Stunning stat: According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending is expected to reach $13.1 billion this year.

Zoom in: The Bulls are on a winning streak, so to keep the spirit up, I transformed into Benny the Bull.

How it worked: The process took around two hours, and products were purchased from her go-to store, the Chicago Costume Shop.

• She painted my chest and face, followed by the nose application with glue. Next, she added more paint around my eyes.
• She finished by adding bull horns and faux fur around my face.

What she's saying: "As AI and special effects become bigger, it's really challenging, especially if you're changing the face structure of people and changing them into an animal," Johnson told Axios.

If you go: Glossed Finishing's whimsical-like studio is located at 2853 N. Pulaski in Logan Square.

• Special effects prices start at $100.

What's next: Johnson is looking forward to Mardi Gras season, when she will be educating locals on how to create masks.

📸 Go deeper: Watch me transform into Benny the Bull

Halloween isn't just for kids. It's a rare moment when adults actually meet their neighbors.

Why it matters: Only about a quarter of adults in the U.S. say they know "all or most" of their neighbors, a 2025 Pew Research Center survey found.

• 62% know some neighbors. But another 12% say they don't know a single one.

The big picture: Knowing your neighbors is better for your mental health, longevity and happiness levels, studies have shown.

• Spend some time out in your front yard, say hi to folks doing yard work as you walk around, or go to your community yard sales and other events.

The bottom line: Making a few neighborhood friends is sweeter than any Snickers.

🎃 DHS Chief Kristi Noem refused to grant Gov. JB Pritzker's request to suspend all federal immigration operations across the Chicago area during Halloween weekend. (Axios)

🚜 After halting purchases of U.S. soybeans earlier this year —to the chagrin of Illinois farmers, the nation's biggest soybean growers — China has agreed to return U.S. soybean purchases to regular levels in each of the next three years. (Axios)

🧑‍⚖️ An immigration judge has released the father of a 16-year-old Lakeview High School student undergoing cancer treatments. (Tribune)

It's just not Halloween in Chicago without Svengoolie.

The big picture: Broadcaster Rich Koz has donned the Svengoolie makeup since his legendary horror film showcase began in 1979, first as "Son of Svengoolie" and now just "Svengoolie."

State of play: "Svengoolie" has aired nationally on MeTV since 2011. Koz has been playing this character for over 45 years and Chicago viewers (Berwyn, too) have embraced him as the reigning champion of local television.

In honor of our Halloween master of ceremonies, we asked Koz to give us his perfect day in Chicago.

🍳 Breakfast: "Well, since our old favorite, the late-lamented Palace Grill near the United Center is gone, I'd have to opt for Lou Mitchell's on Jackson. I'll get the smoked salmon Benedict and definitely coffee!"

🦆 Lunch: "The Fat Duck Bar and Grill on Madison in Forest Park. They have these great pot roast nachos and, as the name might indicate, duck fat fries. They're actually good for you ... really!"

🌌 Late night: "There's nothing better than being someplace with no light pollution, stargazing, watching for comets, and the possible alien spaceship coming in for a landing. Hey, I didn't watch 'Invaders from Mars' for nothing."

More of Svengoolie's perfect day

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Bat Club: Gothic Dance Party at Beat Kitchen on Nov 14: Bat Club is a gothic dance party featuring dark post-punk and classic goth rock from The Cure, Bauhaus, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Joy Division, and more. Dress dark and dance deep into the night. $0-$19.25.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

We have a winner in our weeklong tournament to crown the biggest living celebrity in Chicago: Da Pope!

• Looks like most readers wouldn't dare vote against God.

State of play: No one else had a prayer, but Michelle Obama gave the Holy Father a run for his money.

• Now, what if we added transplants Michael Jordan, Oprah and Barack Obama to the mix? Would the Pope still win? A tournament for another day.

Congrats Pope Leo XIV! Does anyone have his email to forward this? Tell him we're Sox fans!

Your grandma's candy dish may tell you otherwise, but we Illinoisans do not actually love candy corn.

• Grocery orders with candy corn in our state were nearly 5% lower than the national average, according to Instacart data.

Our takes:

• Carrie: "Like it until an image of my dentist floats across my mind."
• Monica: "Love my candy corn earrings, but don't eat the candy."
• Justin: "Give me the little pumpkins instead."
• Moyo: "🤮"

Which states like it

Today's quiz is all about the eerie, creepy and downright scary history of Chicago.

• Is there anything scarier than doing poorly on a Kaufmann quiz? :)

State of play: This week, I've turned to one of the best trivia masters in town for help. Maggie Baran hosts trivia at Cary's Lounge on Devon Avenue every Tuesday at 7:30pm. She knows Chicago and, of course, local haunts.

• As always, if you get a perfect score, email me a screenshot and I'll shout you out next week.

Take the quiz here!