Stories by Erica Gunderson
Former Trauma Surgeon Using Tech to Cure What Ails US
Dr. William Yates has made public safety through technology his business, first by developing metal detectors to prevent gun violence, and now, by developing no-contact thermal scanners to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
Transportation Advocates Seek Guarantee Transit Won’t Shut Down In Event of Post-Election Unrest
With a heated election drawing to a close and concerns about possible post-election unrest, transportation advocates are calling on the Lightfoot administration and Chicago-area transit systems to pledge they’ll continue operations during protests.
Earth Breaks September Heat Record, May Reach Warmest Year
Earth sweltered to a record hot September last month, with U.S. climate officials saying there’s nearly a two-to-one chance that 2020 will end up as the globe’s hottest year on record.
Vision 2020: Will Mailed-In Ballots Be Delivered on Time?
If you plan on voting by mail, election officials say it’s best to do it as early as possible so your ballot gets to its destination well before Election Day, which is Nov. 3.
Mother of 2 Boys Accusing Jerry Harris of Sexual Exploitation Asks Judge to Keep Netflix Star in Jail Pending Trial
A federal judge will decide whether “Cheer” star Jeremiah “Jerry” Harris will be held in jail or released as he awaits trial on a single count of producing child pornography.
Candidate Forum: Fricilone, Newman Vying to Replace Lipinski in 3rd District
For the first time in decades, a candidate with a name other than Lipinski will represent Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District in Congress. We hear from Republican Mike Fricilone and Democrat Marie Newman.
Holidays During COVID-19: Officials Issue Guidelines for Safer Celebrations
With the holidays fast approaching and positivity rates rising throughout the state, health officials released guidelines to help families celebrate safely amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Mapa: Sitios de Votación Temprana en Chicago Elecciones Generales 2020
Adicionalmente: Preguntas frecuentes del proceso de votación para los residentes de Chicago y los suburbios del condado de Cook
La votación temprana para las elecciones generales del 3 de Noviembre ha comenzado.
As Property Tax Hike Looms, Officials Expect Surge in Those Who Don’t Pay
In a typical year, approximately 3% of property owners do not pay their taxes, according to Chicago officials. But in 2021, a projected 10% of property owners won’t pay their tax bills, which would cost the city $65.2 million.
Illinois’ Top Doctors Prepare for Winter as COVID-19 Rates Climb
As temperatures drop and the statewide positivity rate climbs, we discuss the coronavirus pandemic with top public health officials Dr. Ngozi Ezike and Dr. Allison Arwady.
Barrett Unscathed By Tough Democratic Confirmation Probing
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett batted back Democrats’ skeptical questions on abortion, health care and a possible disputed election in a lively Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday.
Good Government Groups Scold Legislators for Putting Ethics on the Back Burner
It’s been more than six months since a state commission was supposed to issue a report on proposed ethics reforms and nearly a year since the bipartisan commission was first formed.
Injustice Watch Launches Judicial Voting Guide for 2020 Election
It might just seem like names at the end of the ballot, but voting for judges in Cook County has serious consequences. How voters can make educated decisions about the dozens of judges listed on the 2020 ballot.
The Author as Superhero: Ernest Hemingway in Comic Books
In the comic book world there is the Marvel universe and the DC universe. Less well-known is the Ernest Hemingway universe. But the Oak Park-born writer, a towering figure in 20th century literature, was a popular figure in comics.
Method Behind the Madness: Experts Weigh In on Political Polling Process
What the latest numbers do (or don’t) mean for the 2020 election
As Nov. 3 draws near, Americans may be paying more attention to the latest polling numbers — but after the 2016 election, some people wonder just what those numbers really mean.
Supreme Court Halts Census In Latest Twist of 2020 Count
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday stopped the once-a-decade head count of every U.S. resident from continuing through the end of October.
Calling All Community Scientists: The Field Museum Needs Help Bringing Its Collection Into the Digital Age
The Field Museum is looking for volunteers to help digitize 100-year-old handwritten field notes and specimen labels in order to make the information more accessible to researchers.
Indiana Added to Chicago’s Quarantine Order
Chicagoans should not travel to the Hoosier State, said Dr. Allison Arwady, the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. The city’s quarantine order now includes 25 states and Puerto Rico.
CPS Aiming to Increase Teacher Diversity Through New Partnership
Chicago Public Schools says it wants to triple the number of district graduates it hires annually as teachers, and through a new partnership, it’s planning to make the majority of those hires people of color.
Aldermen Reject Lightfoot’s Proposal to Ease Ban on Lobbying by Elected Officials
A ban blocking elected officials from outside Chicago from lobbying city officials will remain in place after aldermen unanimously rejected a proposal from Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday to ease the ban.
Illinois Surpasses 9,000 Coronavirus-Related Deaths
Health officials on Tuesday reported 29 new coronavirus-related deaths in Illinois, bringing the statewide death toll to 9,026 since the first virus-related death was reported on March 17.
Defiant Trump Defends Virus Record in 1st Post-COVID Rally
Defiant as ever about the coronavirus, President Donald Trump on Monday turned his first campaign rally since contracting COVID-19 into a full-throated defense of his handling of the pandemic that has killed 215,000 Americans.
Barrett Vows To Interpret Laws ‘As They Are Written’
Nominee Vows Fair Approach as Justice, Democrats Skeptical
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett presented her approach to the law as conservative and fair on Monday at the start of fast-tracked confirmation hearings, while angry Democrats cast her as a threat to Americans’ health care coverage.
Central Camera Rises From the Ashes After Looting, Fire
For a 121-year-old camera store in Chicago, everything changed on the night of May 30. How the third-generation owner of Central Camera is rebuilding the business after its destruction.
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