Stories by Erica Gunderson

Geoffrey Baer explores why hot dogs and ketchup don’t mix in Chicago in this encore edition of “Ask Geoffrey.”

A group cited for its efforts to thwart white supremacists has plans to counter Islamist extremists. But after the Trump administration revoked a $400,000 grant to Life After Hate, those plans may be on hold.

Ravin Gandhi denounced the president’s comments on Charlottesville in an op-ed, and now finds himself the target of racist invective. What he hopes will come out of the experience.

Pet owners should not panic, local health officials say, but take precautions after a rabid kitten was found in Carroll County.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a measure this week allowing the city to install noise monitors along the scenic expressway, following residents’ complaints.

As more people flock to the backyard poultry trend, the number of salmonella infections are likely to increase, says Illinois Department of Public Health veterinarian Dr. Connie Austin.

Top legislators spent hours Monday working on an education funding package, and reaction to a political cartoon is still simmering. 

A marathon private session between Illinois’ top legislative leaders was evidently productive enough that House Speaker Michael Madigan is canceling the chamber’s expected vote on a contentious education funding plan Wednesday as talks continue. 

The governor says Chicago could solve a lot of CPS’ financial problems by getting rid of TIF districts, but the mayor and other budget watchdogs say that doing away with them could actually cost public schools money.

Watch the Aug. 22, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Gov. Bruce Rauner may be set to sign legislation limiting cooperation between officials in Illinois and federal immigration authorities.

The Cook County sweetened beverage tax has had a challenging rollout, but Toni Preckwinkle doesn’t appear to be backing down. And she’s found a deep-pocketed supporter of the tax who’s helping with a media campaign.

The former U.S. attorney, who was asked to resign by the Trump administration in March, joins us in discussion.

He helped to define rock ‘n’ roll in the 1960s—and his life was a forged as a child in Nazi Germany. We explore an exhibition about Bill Graham at the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

Thousands of people swarmed to Carbondale to watch the solar eclipse on Monday. And thousands hit the road as soon as the celestial event was over.

Chicago Public Schools says its English language learners have significantly trimmed the achievement gap compared to native English speaking students – a data point Mayor Rahm Emanuel and district officials want to use in their ongoing fight for adequate funding from Springfield.

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski joins us to discuss ongoing health care negotiations.

Watch the Aug. 21, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

About a dozen different species were under close watch during the event as scientists looked for any changes in behavior. 

As the fight over the Cook County sweetened beverage tax enters yet another round, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is getting some praise from one of the county's biggest unions.

The comedian and civil rights activist died on Saturday. He was 84. 

Chicagoans from all neighborhoods and walks of life came out of the shadows to fix their appropriately covered eyes on the skies.

The last time a total solar eclipse spanned the continental United States from coast to coast was 99 years ago. Thousands joined in the Adler Planetarium’s celestial celebration to mark the occasion.

“Until the government starts to call it what it is – and that’s terrorism – I’m not sure the point will fully come across as to how dangerous of a problem this is,” said Christian Picciolini, a former neo-Nazi, of far-right extremism.

Onlookers were treated to a clear view of the solar eclipse in Carbondale. “It was a festival sort of atmosphere,” Amanda Vinicky said. “You literally had a beer tent, carnival rides, and band, a whole lot of very excited people wearing garb for the solar eclipse.”

Animal behavior experts noticed the biggest change in one particular species during Monday’s eclipse: humans.