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• Also, don't forget to turn your clocks back this weekend.

🌤️ Today's weather: Partly sunny, with a high of 62. Rain early tomorrow, but it should be clear for trick-or-treating!

🎂 Happy birthday to our members Joyce Turnbull, Victor Renn and Ronald Davis!

Situational awareness: If you are heading to the polls early, check out our voting guide!

Today’s newsletter is 1,125 words — a 4-minute read.

City election officials are coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to protect voters from potential disruptions at the polls on Election Day.

Why it matters: The preparations come amid heightened concerns about federal immigration enforcement near polling places and the possibility of voter intimidation.

The latest: The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners tells Axios it has coordinated security plans with Chicago police, the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications, the FBI, state election officials and prosecutors.

• The board says it will respond to incidents through law enforcement partnerships or by going to court to enforce laws protecting voters.

Context: Federal and Illinois laws prohibit voter intimidation and interference within designated campaign-free zones around polling places.

Meanwhile: Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Wednesday that a coalition of Chicago civil rights organizations is mobilizing trained lawyers, poll monitors and volunteers to also help protect voters.

• The groups will monitor polling places, document potential violations, assist voters and connect people with legal assistance.

The intrigue: The Justice Department said in a federal court filing Wednesday that ICE and FBI personnel won't serve as election monitors during Tuesday's midterms. However, employees from other federal law enforcement agencies could participate.

• DOJ said the monitors, who could include personnel from the DEA, ATF and Federal Bureau of Prisons, won't carry firearms, enforce laws or interfere with voting.

What's unclear: The Justice Department hasn't publicly identified which Chicago polling locations, if any, will receive federal monitors. A complete deployment list isn't expected until Election Day.

Flashback: Election security concerns extend beyond polling places. The elections board says it has been in contact with the FBI and city emergency management officials about recent mail incidents.

Go deeper

Warning: This story includes reporting on sexual assault and rape.

Students at the University of Chicago and other colleges are planning protests on Sunday to demand more accountability from university administrators on campus sexual violence.

Why it matters: One in eight college students experiences sexual violence during college, according to RAINN. The recent high-profile "Cornell 7" case has incited students to demand stronger policies to protect them.

Driving the news: Colleges across the country plan to join a Take Back the Night virtual rally at 7pm CT on Sunday before marching across campuses.

State of play: Take Back the Night organizers and participants have outlined specific demands for university officials, including:

• Trauma-informed investigations and independent oversight
• 24-hour emergency response and protection for those seeking help
• Monthly public reporting and transparency on campus sexual violence

Context: Two women came forward with allegations of sexual assault at fraternities near UChicago in October. Neither is a student at the university, according to a university spokesperson.

• Chicago police have not made any arrests, and investigations continue, CPD tells Axios.

Go deeper: RAINN has a list of resources for survivors, including the 24/7 toll-free number for support, how to report assault and where to seek medical care.

Keep reading

Catholic clergy, nuns and laypeople traveled to the Vatican this week to thank the pope for his support in their mission to provide spiritual care to immigrants being held at the ICE processing facility in Broadview.

🏈 The Bears pulled off a blockbuster trade for Titans All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons yesterday. They gave the Titans two future first-round picks and one fourth-round pick in return. (Axios)

🏟️ The team is also reportedly nearing a legislative deal that would keep the Bears in Illinois, likely in Arlington Heights. Lawmakers could vote on the package in November. (Crain's)

🗳️ George Cardenas' mayoral campaign website exposed the addresses, birthdays and voting histories of more than 1.5 million residents. (Block Club)

A Pilsen woman is keeping the memories of hundreds of her neighbors alive with a Día de los Muertos altar that has become a citywide attraction.

Why it matters: Isabel Hernandez's annual Day of the Dead display is more than a colorful celebration of Mexican tradition. It's a tribute to the people who helped shape Pilsen, including residents whose lives were cut short by violence and accidents.

The latest: Hernandez has transformed her home into a massive ofrenda featuring more than 400 photographs of deceased community members, surrounded by marigolds, candles, skeletons and colorful decorations.

• The tradition began in 2020.

Zoom in: Hernandez tells Axios she spends the entire year collecting photographs of Pilsen residents who have died, often finding them through neighborhood Facebook groups or receiving submissions from families.

• She spends about three weeks assembling the elaborate display, which changes every year.

If you go: The display is on 19th Street between Racine Avenue and Loomis Street. Hernandez welcomes visitors until 10pm nightly through Monday.

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We have a winner! With more than 62% of the vote, the old Joliet Prison defeated the old Cook County Hospital to claim the crown of spookiest place in Chicagoland!

The intrigue: We're guessing most of our readers have never actually set foot inside the old Joliet Prison. But apparently, you can be spooky from afar!

Thanks for voting! We'll be back with another tournament before the year is out!

👋 Hey, it's Justin. This week, the city announced that the 2026 Soul Train Awards will take place at the Harris Theater and airs Nov. 27.

State of play: While the awards show isn't the legendary Chicago-born dance program, the news got us feeling nostalgic for the glory days of local television.

So this week's quiz is all about Chicago TV legends!

• Last week's inventions quiz produced five winners! Congrats to John R., Max S., Matt R., Alan F. and Janet V.!

Let's dance ... err, I mean quiz!

Edited by Larry Graham.

🎃 Justin shaved his beard for his Halloween costume, then got asked to appear on "Chicago Tonight: Week in Review." Get ready for some clean-shaven news analysis tonight at 5:30pm!

🔬 Carrie just learned the New York Times is relaunching its science desk and two of its journalists are based here! Hear them talk about their coverage Sunday at 1pm at the Griffin MSI.

🥯 Monica is surprised that D.C.-based, private equity-backed Call Your Mother has taken over the old Fish Bar spot on Sheffield. She's not sure Lakeview needs more bagel shops.

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