Stories by Erica Gunderson

Our story about Pritzker Elementary School’s lack of a librarian drew strong opinions on both sides, and our story on social media and violence prompted your remarks. 

Michael Madigan wins an unprecedented 17th term as Illinois House Speaker, and the Republican Party is already undermining its own calls for bipartisanship.  

The Chicago Park District takes the first steps to bring a Tiger Woods-inspired golf course to Jackson Park, but not without controversy.

Watch the Jan. 11, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Chicago Public Schools’ Office of the Inspector General is expanding its investigatory reach this month, adding a pair of data analysis and research experts to its team of district watchdogs. 

We learn about two Chicago studies showing that following a few basic nutrition principles can keep your brain agile and your heart strong.

Kim Foxx is the first African-American woman to hold the position of Cook County State’s Attorney. She joins host Carol Marin to discuss her plans for the office.

An ambitious new art exhibition looks at the cultural impact of, and creative response to, AIDS in America.

Geoffrey Baer investigates the history of Asylum Place, the explosive story behind a 1930s manhole cover and what happened to a magical Chicago restaurant chain in this encore edition of “Ask Geoffrey.”

Free gym access, a grilled cheese competition and Cardinal Blase Cupich usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.

Thousands of spectators gathered at McCormick Place to watch President Barack Obama conclude his two-term presidency in the city where his political life began 20 years ago.

Illinois’ 99th General Assembly has wrapped up for good, without ever having passed a complete state budget. 

Watch the Jan. 10, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Political speechwriter Jason DeSanto joins us to discuss memorable farewell speeches from past presidents and what to expect from President Obama on Tuesday.

A new documentary by Chicago filmmaker Dawn Sinclair Shapiro looks at the history of North Carolina’s eugenics program and how modern-day lawmakers sought state compensation for survivors.

Organized by the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, Earth2Trump is a series of rallies aimed at building “resistance to all forms of oppression and all attacks on the environment,” the group states.

After the shooting at a baggage claim in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, can extending the airport security perimeter keep travelers safer?

A Chicago Police Department official confirmed detectives are investigating the shooting death of Jason Goodfriend, 31, who was the business and finance manager at Chicago Tech Academy.

While Illinois’ impasse thus far has been caused by a partisan divide, divergent approaches by the House and Senate to the state’s yearslong political stalemate serve to create a new potential rift, this time between the two Democratic-led chambers.

What can we expect from U.S.-Russia relations under the Trump administration?

Watch the Jan. 9, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

A little more than eight years ago, Barack Obama gave his presidential acceptance speech in Grant Park. Tuesday, he’ll bookend his presidency with a much anticipated farewell address at McCormick Place.

Social media has become a ubiquitous fixture of our daily lives. We discuss the varying effects of such digital communication tools on young people.

The disastrous 2016 season is one the Chicago Bears will want to soon forget. The Bears chairman weighs in on how the team can bounce back.

Donald Trump is no friend of the environment. And based on new energy use data from the city, neither is his trademark Chicago skyscraper.

A Wicker Park elementary parent called out the Chicago Teachers Union in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, claiming the union stopped parents who volunteered to staff their children’s school library after its librarian was laid off.