Stories by Erica Gunderson

Geoffrey Baer investigates why the Loop’s streets honoring presidents don’t honor the order of their terms in this encore edition of “Ask Geoffrey.”

Carol Marin discusses the political happenings of Springfield and Chicago with Tina Sfondeles of the Chicago Sun-Times, Lauren Chooljian of WBEZ and Heather Cherone of DNAinfo.

We visit the Art Institute of Chicago to find out more about the 19th century oil painting “Arrangement in Grey and Black, Number One” – commonly known as “Whistler’s Mother.” 

More than 100 conversations on gender equity and bias are taking place around the Chicago region this week as part of the Talk It Out initiative. 

What is it like to touch and work with dolphins? One Shedd trainer said they feel firm, smooth and a little colder than you might expect, according to the aquarium’s dolphin fact list.

Most kids form bonds over shared interests. Kids living in violent, high-poverty Chicago neighborhoods are more strategic about whom they befriend in order to manage the threat of violence, a new study finds.

Watch the March 28, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Paul Vallas and Chicago State University Board Chairman Marshall Hatch discuss the ongoing search for university leadership and what lies ahead for the beleaguered school.

With fatalities from motor vehicle crashes on the rise, could driverless cars steer us toward a safer future?

The city of Chicago has a fund paid for by big developers that helps subsidize low-income residents who need help paying rent. But is all of that money going where it's supposed to? 

Seventeen years after Mayor Daley launched his plan to transform the Chicago Housing Authority, WBEZ examines promises kept – and broken.

The archives of the award-winning author who spent 30 years teaching at the University of Chicago offer a window into his personal life and creative process.

The ethical debate over zoos – and whether animals belong in them – has resurfaced over the past year, and now Brookfield Zoo is joining the discussion.

Viewers weigh in on Lincoln Park Zoo’s urban wildlife monitoring program, a judge's order to pay Illinois legislators' salaries and state Rep. Will Guzzardi’s proposal to bar financially troubled schools from opening new charter schools.

More than 30 million objects are stored behind the scenes at the Field Museum. A new exhibition addresses how scientists from all over the world are using the vast collections to make new discoveries.

One hundred years ago he took unforgettable photos of Chicago in turbulent times. Exploring the life of Jun Fujita, a Japanese immigrant who captured city history.

Racial and economic segregation across Chicago impacts economic growth, educational attainment and crime rates, according to a report released Tuesday by the Metropolitan Planning Council and Urban Institute.

A look at what’s next for Obamacare and what happened to the Republican bill to replace it.

Watch the March 27, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

It was widely expected that Paul Vallas would get a top job at Chicago State University on Monday. But that is not what happened.  

The primary for governor is a year away. But already, it's quite a contest. Limits on campaign contributions have been lifted. And this morning, six potential candidates made their pitches to Cook County Democratic committeemen. 

Since 2010, the zoo’s Urban Wildlife Institute has used motion-detecting cameras and acoustic monitoring equipment to record and document animals roaming through the city.

An organization dedicated to teaching technology to middle school-age girls is coming to Chicago this spring.

The American Sports Museum would teach visitors about everything from physics to history. Founder Marc Lapides shares his vision for the space.

“If your district is broke, take care of the schools that you have before you open new schools. We think it’s a pretty straightforward idea,” said state Rep. Will Guzzardi, who introduced the legislation.

In an effort to curb violence, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has directed resources to expand mentoring programs in Chicago Public Schools. A new effort is targeting young men and women who aren’t in school.