Stories by Erica Gunderson

What happened to the Alexander Hamilton statue in Lincoln Park? Geoffrey Baer tells his story.

Young women from Chicago’s South and West Sides can face the same roadblocks as young men, but their struggles often go unnoticed. How one mentoring program is communicating its message to girls—and teaching self-expression.

‘The Peregrine Returns’ is not just a story of recovery, but adaptability, exploring how the cliff-dwelling bird has made a home in an urban environment.

On the eve of a special legislative session, Gov. Bruce Rauner took a rare step to draw attention to the state budget situation, with a short, but – highly publicized – speech Tuesday evening.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is joining several other members of the Senate and House in a lawsuit to compel President Trump to obey the Constitution's emoluments clause.

Watch the June 20, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Art conservation can cost thousands of dollars. Meet one man who’s dedicated to restoring works of art pro bono.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Field Museum, and the role and influence of the curators who put the museum's incredible collection together.

Chicago Public Schools says the move is not due to spending cuts, but because it is transitioning to a new "universal preschool model."

Tuesday marked the final day of classes for CPS students, and despite lingering questions about district finances and the state budget, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is promising school will resume on time this fall.

There are eight Democratic candidates vying to take on incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, but one is gaining traction as the anti-Madigan candidate.

Navigating the ever-changing landscape of health care can be difficult. Meet a local patient advocate who’s made it her life’s work to help others.

The backyard chicken trend gets a leg up with the prospect of temporary ownership – and farm-fresh eggs.

Politics and progressive rock may not sound like a natural pairing. But for most of 2016, they dominated Dave Weigel’s life.

Can a collectible card game teach cybersecurity skills to middle school students? A UIC professor wants to get young people excited about computer science and interested in high-demand, high-paying careers.

If a budget isn’t in place by July 1, the Illinois Department of Transportation says all contractors must stop any roadwork. What this may mean for your morning commute.

Residents of North Lawndale and the Cook County Board are mourning the loss of one of their own. Second District Commissioner Robert Steele died Monday from complications of diabetes.  

Watch the June 19, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The state has been without a budget for 719 days. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton joins Carol Marin to talk about how the state can finally get a budget.

Since 1967, a laboratory just outside Chicago has been pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. We go for a look.

A team of researchers at DePaul University is working to bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing communities. Meet “Paula,” the American Sign Language avatar they created that translates English into ASL.

For many parents, questions of hygiene and health weigh heavily on their minds. A new book argues that a fixation on cleanliness won’t lead to healthier children.

The pressure is on for Illinois lawmakers to strike a budget deal before July 1. We speak with two members of the Illinois House as they prepare for this week’s special session.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan will join a bipartisan effort to investigate the role opioid manufacturers may play in contributing to the country’s opioid epidemic. 

Illinois is one of more than a dozen states awaiting a federal peer review from the U.S. Department of Education on its Every Student Succeeds Act plan.

Heroin use has more than doubled in young adults over the past decade. A new study evaluates the cost of that addiction on society at large.