Stories by Erica Gunderson
Preservation Chicago Announces 7 ‘Most Endangered’ Sites of 2018
| Erica Gunderson
The annual list of endangered Chicago buildings – and this year, paving materials – sounds the alarm about historic structures the preservation group believes are in danger of being erased.
The Week in Review: High-Flying O’Hare Deal Hits Turbulence
| Nick Blumberg
A new poll shows J.B. Pritzker leading not only the Democratic pack of governor hopefuls, but also the embattled incumbent. High-flying plans for a major O’Hare expansion hit turbulence. And Loyola tries to keep its March Madness dream alive.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Madigan’s Political Orbit
| Nick Blumberg
Paris Schutz and guests discuss House Speaker Michael Madigan’s political orbit, and how the White Sox will fare this season.
Inside the Studio of an Italian Sculptor Who Made His Name in Chicago
| Marc Vitali
Born in Italy, Virginio Ferrari came to Chicago in the 1960s, and he blossomed into an internationally sought-after sculptor. We visit the 80-year-old in his Bridgeport studio.
Assessor’s Office Officials in Hot Seat Over ‘Regressive’ System
| Eddie Arruza
After a highly critical independent report finds Cook County property taxes punish the poor, officials from the assessor’s office are put in the hot seat.
Sen. Fred Harris on the Kerner Report and Progress Made – and Lost
| Paul Caine
In 1967, African-Americans took their discontent to the street and President Lyndon Johnson tasked a commission to find out why. The last surviving member of that commission talks about progress made and lost in the years since.
Climate Activists Knock Chicago’s Continued Investment in Fossil Fuels
| Alex Ruppenthal
A new investment strategy calls for Chicago to redirect funds toward companies that prioritize environmental responsibility and social causes, but local climate activists say the plan falls short.
Rauner Veto Stalls Bill Aimed at Limiting State Charter School Control
| Matt Masterson
House Bill 768 passed through the state House and Senate easily last year, but the governor’s veto of the legislation, which seeks to limit state oversight of local decisions to shutter underperforming charter schools, doesn’t come as a surprise.
Illinois Lawmakers Vote to License Gun Dealers
| Amanda Vinicky
As students in Florida returned to class for the first time since a gunman opened fire at their Parkland high school, Illinois lawmakers advanced a series of gun control measures in Springfield.
Steppenwolf Announces Premieres, Landmark Revival for 2018-19 Season
| Hedy Weiss
A world premiere play by Bruce Norris, a rare return to acting by Tarell Alvin McCraney and the Chicago premieres of a recent Broadway hit by Lucas Hnath and a 2015 play by Danai Gurira – and more – are coming to Steppenwolf Theatre.
Chicago Man’s Passion for ‘Hard Water Sailing’ Easy to Fathom
| Jay Shefsky
We meet a longtime sailor who races boats on ice – not water. “Ice boating is sailing, it’s just a faster, more exciting version of it,” Chris Berger says.
Local Students Discuss Movement for Gun Law Reform
| Paul Caine
As survivors of the Parkland shooting return to school in Florida, we ask local high school students their thoughts on school safety and gun control.
Chicago Nonprofit Opens Architecture Industry to Diverse Voices
| Evan Garcia
Meet Maya Bird-Murphy, an Oak Park architecture enthusiast aiming to open the industry to more minorities and women.
Chicago Looks to Ban Future Manganese Operations
| Alex Ruppenthal
A brain-damaging pollutant found at high levels near thousands of Southeast Side homes would be banned at future industrial sites under a new ordinance introduced by city officials Wednesday.
Condoleezza Rice on Reminding Americans What Unites Us
| Nick Blumberg
We speak with the former secretary of state and Patricia Harrison, the president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, about the hard work of reminding America of its shared creed.
CPS Board Votes Unanimously to Close 4 Englewood High Schools
| Matt Masterson
Plans for a new Englewood high school have been at the center of fierce debate for months. Wednesday’s vote marks the first wave of neighborhood school closures within the district since it shuttered 50 elementary schools in 2013.
West Side United Aims to Improve Health, Life Expectancy of Residents
| Kristen Thometz
West Garfield Park residents have a life expectancy of 69 years, compared to an average life expectancy of 85 years in the Loop. By 2030, West Side United hopes to cut that life expectancy gap in half.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: March 1-4
| Kristen Thometz
A shopping-cart race, eco-minded films, competitive chili and vintage finds usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Loyola University Men’s Basketball ‘Focused’ Heading into Arch Madness
| Virginia Barreda
Head Coach Porter Moser says the No. 1-ranked team needs to keep its eye on the ball ahead of Friday’s game in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. “We’ve got our work cut out for us and we’ve got to focus in on that.”
Community Leaders Ask CPS Watchdog to Investigate Englewood Plan
| Matt Masterson
As Chicago Public Schools moves to finalize the planned closures of four Englewood high schools, community members are claiming the district “manufactured consent” for the controversial plan.
2018 Primary: Democrats Pin Hopes on 6th District Voters
| Amanda Vinicky
As Democrats aim to retake control of the U.S. House, they’re pinning hope on voters who live in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District. But first, primary voters need to decide who will be the nominee.
Flipping Out in Chicago on National Pancake Day
| Eddie Arruza
Chicago eateries are ready to sate your sweet tooth on National Pancake Day – and any other day of the year. Learn how some of the city’s artisan cakes are made, and get recipes for your own DIY batch.
Illinois Case Could Deal Major Blow to Public Sector Unions
| Nick Blumberg
Janus v AFSCME, a case out of Illinois that’s backed by Gov. Bruce Rauner and conservative donors and activists, aims to do away with fair share fees. We hear from both sides of the issue.
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